IAAF/AIMS Measurers

It is with pleasure that I send to you this list of Canadian AIMS/IAAF approved measurers. Some of them have been working hard at this for many years, others are relatively new, but all have achieved the qualifications to be recognized as approved AIMS/IAAF measurers. 

It was not too long ago, that if you checked the approved AIMS/IAAF measurers list for Canada, you found only 2!! Bernie Conway (A) and Dave Yaeger ( B, now an "A" ). It is understood that many others were doing satisfactory measurements, but had not asked for or proven their abilities to become grade A or B measurers approved by AIMS/IAAF. (or been given the opportunity to do so - editor)

AIMS/IAAF course measurement seminars were held in Vancouver in 1995 and again in 1999. Thanks to the efforts of Jerry Tighe of BC Athletics, AIMS/IAAF Grade "A" measurers Ted Paulin, Andy Galloway and Pete Riegel who conducted the seminars, and Laurent Lacroix who has pushed for the upgrade and organization of Canadian course measurers, we can now be proud of those on this list.

Congratulations to all the following;

Grade "A" Measurers

Bernard Conway, London, ON
Dave Yaeger, Ottawa, ON
Laurent Lacroix, Winnipeg, MB
Paul Adams, Port Coquitlam, BC


Grade "B" Measurers 

Randy Bannister, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mike Bjelos, Vancouver, B.C.
Hazen Fulton, Saint John, NB
John Halvorsen, Kanata, ON
Jim Robinson, Ottawa, ON
Mark Smith, New Westminster, BC
Cindy New, Montréal, QC
John Jacobson, Edmonton, AB
Marcel LaMontagne, AB

Gordon W. Rogers
Technical Director for AIMS, October 2000

IAAF/AIMS Criteria for Measurers

Introduction

The IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation) was founded on 17 July 1912 as the international governing body for all disciplines of Athletics, which includes road running. It now has 209 members who are the National Federations in each country. It sets the rules and regulations for the sport, ratifies World Records and has a worldwide Development programme.

AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Road Races) was founded in 1981, initially for marathon races only. Races of other distances were included later. The members of AIMS are the races themselves and its objectives are to foster and promote road running throughout the world, work with the IAAF on all matters relating to international road races and exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the Association.

The IAAF and AIMS have been working together since 1990, especially in the matter of course measurement. IAAF and AIMS have set up a system for grading road race course measurers, just as all other IAAF Technical Officials are graded. At present, course measurement is a relatively new skill and, until the technique is more widely learned and practised, IAAF and AIMS feel that it should be controlled jointly by the two bodies.

International Measurement Administrators

The world has been split into four areas with an administrator appointed for each area who is in charge of course measurement. They are responsible for appointing measurers for courses within their area and should be involved in any course measurement seminars in their areas. They also are responsible for recommending regrading of Course Measurers as detailed below. The International Measurement Administrators are:

Jean Francois Delasalle    French speaking Africa and Europe plus the Mediterranean

John Disley                       English speaking Africa and Europe

Dave Cundy                     Asia and Oceana

Bernie Conway                 The Americas

Three Levels of Measurers

Course measurers have been split into three grades: "A", "B" and "C". The three grades are allowed to measure the following:

"C" Local courses, including National Championship courses, but no races in the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar.

"B" As "C" plus Area Championship courses and races in the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar.

"A" As "C" and "B" plus World Championships, Cup and Olympic Games' courses (races run under IAAF Rule 12.1 (a), (b) and (c).

Appointment of Measurers

If any IAAF Member Federation or IAAF competition organisers wish to have a course measured by any other than a local "C" measurer - and this is necessary if the race is to be included in the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar - they should contact the relevant International Measurement Administrator who will arrange for a measurer to be appointed.

Nomination and Upgrade of Measurers

IAAF and AIMS wish to encourage the development of course measurement worldwide and there is a need for many more course measurers. The following are the criteria for the three grades of measurers: 

"C" Successful completion of a bona fide course measurement seminar that was managed by at least an "A" grade measurer.

"B" Nomination to be made by the Member Federation which will send the paperwork of four measurements to the relevant International Measurement Administrator.

The International Measurement Administrator will then organise a fifth measurement under either supervision of himself or an appointed "A" measurer at the expense of the Member Federation.

If the candidate proves to be satisfactory, the International Measurement Administrator will upgrade the measurer, subject to later ratification by the IAAF/AIMS Working Group.

"A" Must have been a "B" grade measurer for at least two years within which time he/she must have measured eight courses, two of which must be races in the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar. One of the two joint calendar courses must have been measured under the supervision of an "A" grade measurer who should send a report to the International Measurement Administrator.

The paperwork for all eight measurements must be sent by the relevant Member Federation to the International Measurement Administrator and, if all proves to be satisfactory, the International Measurement Administrator will upgrade the measurer, subject to later ratification by the IAAF/AIMS Working Group.

Maintenance of "A and B" Grades and Downgrading

All measurers are required to send a copy of their paperwork for each course on the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar that is measured to the relevant International Measurement Administrator and the IAAF General Secretariat in Monte Carlo. They must also send a report to their International Measurement Administrator every two years listing their activity in course measurement. If they have not measured a course within two years, they will be downgraded.

IAAF Permit and AIMS Membership Criteria

For courses of 10 km, 15 km, 20 km Half Marathon, 25 km, 30 km, Marathon, 100 km and Road Relays held over the marathon distance, the course must be measured by an approved "A" or "B" IAAF/AIMS course measurer. Should the course be changed from one year to another, it must be re-measured by an approved "A" or "B" IAAF/AIMS course measurer. All courses, even if there is no visible change, must be re-measured after five years. In Canada, certification of courses that are not listed in the IAAF/AIMS joint calendar expires when the course is changed, or after 10 years even if there is no visible change.

 Updated June 9, 2008

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