The Run Canda Committee
Road Race Course Measurement Procedures

APPENDIX D

Filling Out the Forms

This section is intended to clarify certain portions of the "Application for Certification of a Road Course."

Type of Course

Courses rarely fit the simple categories exactly. Attempt to determine the basic structure of the course with the following points in mind.

A loop course follows a path that eventually closes on itself with the runner headed in the same direction as he/she was at the start of the loop. This circular motion can be repeated indefinitely without the need for the runner to reverse his/her direction of running.

An out-and-back course follows a path out to a turn-around point where the runner is required to reverse direction and come back on the same roadway. When the out-and-back section is completed, the runner is headed in the opposite direction to that followed at the start of the out-and-back section.

A point-to-point course is defined as any course whose straight-line distance between the start point and the finish point is greater than 30% of the overall race distance or any course whose net decline averages more than 1.0 meter per kilometer (i.e., where the finish elevation lies below the start elevation by more than 1/1000 of the race distance).

Straight-Line Distance Between Start and Finish

The straight-line distance between start and finish is usually taken from a map drawn to scale. This is the distance "as the crow flies." Locate the start and finish points. Place a ruler edge so that it touches both the start and finish points. Read off the distance on the ruler. Convert this to kilometers (or miles) using the map scale.

The rules on eligibility for records make a distinction between courses with start-to-finish separation less than or greater than 30% of the race distance (such as 1.5 km for a 5 km race). If it appears that your course is close to this threshold, try to determine its separation more accurately. Your course can be certified either way; however, if separation exceeds 30%, official records can be accepted only when there isn't a significant tailwind during the race.

Altitude of the Race Course

The altitude of the race course may be obtained from section (quadrangle) maps. If your library does not possess a set, check the major blueprint stores in your area. These often carry a full set of maps for your province. Hiking stores often carry a contour maps.

The contour maps show locations of prominent natural and man-made features. The locations of cities, towns, and major roads are of primary interest. The background of the map consists of contour lines, indicating elevation above mean sea level. Depending on the roughness of the terrain, the contour interval may range from 3 metres up to 25 metres.

If possible, copy the pertinent sections of the map so that you can mark the race course on it. Locate the start and finish points and estimate the elevation if either is between contour lines. Unless you are trying to determine elevation at a "saddle point," a linear interpolation between given contours is usually quite good. This will give you the elevation or altitude of the start and finish points.

Next, trace over the race course to find the highest and lowest points. These two elevations complete the altitude section. A good magnifying glass is very helpful in reading elevations.

Note: We are most interested in the difference in elevation between the Start and Finish; therefore, it is more important to determine this difference accurately than to get all of the individual elevations above sea level just right. Eligibility for records depends on whether the course has a net drop in elevation exceeding 1/1000 of the race distance (such as 10 meters for a 10 km race). If it appears that your course is close to this threshold, try to determine its drop more accurately. Your course can be certified either way, and will also be eligible for "best" times either way; however, it must not drop more than 1 m/km in order to be eligible for official"records."

Type of Surface

The various classifications are, for the most part, self-explanatory. The "undefined" surfaces are those which do not offer a preferred direction of travel, such as a large parking lot or an open field. Defining a course in such areas presents certain problems. Often these areas are traversed between prominent landmarks which provide guidance for measuring the course as well as laying it out on race day. If the route is straight, only the entry and exit points need to be defined. If the route is curved or uses several landmarks, such as light poles in a parking lot, the route must be coned and monitored.

Updated: 15-01-2009