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2008 Road Race Management presentation
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KeepingYour RaceOn Course
Design, Measurement,and Setup of theRunning Route
How Long is a Marathon?
• 26.2 miles
• 42,195 meters
• 26 miles 385 yards
• My GPS told me 26.43 milesand I want a Boston waiver
Elements of aGood Course
• Safe
• Simple
• Accurate
• Scenic (maybe)
Safety
• Route Considerations Open/Closed to Traffic Direction of Runners Intersections/Side streets Other
• Curves, hills, businesses/churches• Planes, Trains & Boats
Preliminary Design
• Avoid/minimize potential hazards Side street crossings Alternate Left-Right turns Multi-lane intersection crossings Busy roads or locations Runner lapping/crossing
Preliminary Design
• Other design considerations Race size Business/Churches/Events Topography Weather Road width/condition Scenery/Points of Interest
Preliminary Design
• Multi-distance events Usually held with marathon Simultaneous vs. separate start Amount of shared course
• Splits, aid stations, monitors
Start and Finish
• Provide sufficient space forpre-race lineup and post-race activities (chute, refreshments, medals, medical, etc.)
• Potential timing mat interference
• Security
• Accessibility
The Start
• Ensure a safe, fair start• Physical Layout
Minimize potential hazards• Turns• Bumps
Width• Determine your “funnel” distance• Chip mat “nozzle”
The Start
• Staging runners Corrals/Waves Kids/Walkers Lane “False” start line Final instructions
The Finish
• Physical Layout Minimize potential hazards
• Turns• Bumps
Depth/Length• Type of timing/scoring system• Post-finish activities
“To Go” marks
The Course
Getting Your RunnersFrom Point A to Point B
Course Design
• Accuracy is paramount Measured correctly Run as Measured
• Flexibility No “Magic” distance (5K-itis) Route changes
Design Flexibility
• Making Lemonade out
of Lemons
Course Design
• Pre-measurement considerations Desired distance Start/Finish locations Other
• Topography• Weather• Neighborhoods• Road width/condition
Creativity:Solving the Puzzle
Course Design
• Pre-measurement planning Mapping Software
• Google Earth, USATF Running Routes, Gmaps
• Car odometer Official Approval Test Run/Ride
Course Design
• Types of Courses Loop Point to Point Out and Back Combinations Ultra-distance Cross country/Trails
• 1-day certification only
Course Types
• Loop Advantages
• Start & Finish close to each other• Good viewing, esp. for Criterium-style
Disadvantages• Maximum road usage• Potential for course cutting• Often many intersections and side streets• Cars “trapped” inside loop
LoopCourse
Course Types
• Point to Point Advantages
• Minimize road use early in race• Hard to cheat (Rosie Ruiz)
Disadvantages• Pre- or Post-race
transportation logistics• Maximum road use
Point to Point
Course
Course Types
• Out and Back Advantages
• Minimal road use• Start and Finish can be the same (Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations, spectators, and
possibly split points• Runners can see the rest of the field
Disadvantages• Double runner density after turnaround• Maximum road use - closure usually required• Potential for course cutting
Out andBack
Course
Course Types
• Combinations Out-Loop-Back (“Lollipop”)
• Less road use• Start and Finish can be the same point
(Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations and split
points
LollipopCourse
LollipopCourse
Variation
Course Types
• Combinations In-Loop-Back (“Keyhole”)
• Less road use• Start and Finish can be the same point
(Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations and split
points• Spectator friendly
KeyholeCourse
Course Types
• Combinations Multiple Loop
• Often used for ultras & racewalks• Multiple duty aid stations
and split points• Loop and Start/Finish certified
Combination of Loops• Figure 8
Multiple Loop
Course
Combination of LoopsCourse
Combination of LoopsCourse
Figure 8Course
“T”Course
Measurement & Certification
• Accuracy USATF Certified
• Sanctioned vs. Certified• Required for rankings, qualifying,
championships• Meaningful times• High cost to benefit ratio• Any distance can be certified• Ownership?
A Big Surprise
• D.I.Y. or outside measurer Typical costs Number of courses Equipment and expertise Guidance from RRTC and
State Certifier
• www.rrtc.net
Measurement & Certification
Tools of the Trade
• Original Jones Counter
Original Jones Counter
Tools of the Trade
PrototypeJones Counter
Measurement & Certification
• Process Calibration
• Ride 300m course 4X before & after• Add 1.001 SCPF
Measure• Ride course 2X, adjust distance• Lay out splits
Document• Map & Certificate
Measurement & Certification
• Work with your measurer Spell out requirements and
limitations• Fixed Start/Finish• Road Restrictions• Desired split marks & documentation
Course Map Photo disc
Listen to his/her suggestions
Documentation
• A picture is worth a thousand words, especially at 5 A.M.
• Work with your measurer Segmental Certification
• Useful for course changes, especially longer races
• Certified Intermediate Splits Record Requirements - Timing
Map Formats• Print, Web
Cost, deadlines, and payments
Measurement & Certification
Measurement & Certification
• Course Certification Documents Certificate
• Unique alphanumeric course number - CT08023JRG
• Use this number in all race literature -Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval
• Lists drop/separation/distance• 10 year expiration
Measurement & Certification
• Map Route, start/finish/turnaround detail Elevation profile optional
• Official All details including Course restrictions For race workers and course monitors Don’t go out without it!
• Simplified Route and mile marks Post online and at race site - runner’s packets Lead vehicle driver!
Course Map
3D Course Map
Measurement & Certification
• USATF Approval Process Can take several
weeks from measurement to online posting
Course is certified as of paperwork postmark
Measurers
State Certifiers
East Vice Chair
Measurers
State Certifiers
West Vice Chair
RRTC Course Registrar
USATF NationalDatabase
Measurement & Certification
• Validation Performed in case of records
• Independent USATF-assigned measurer• Pre or Post
Post - Paid by USATF Pre - Paid by race
• Records accepted immediately
• Documentation
Course Setup
Running the right route,and the route right
Course Setup
• Pre-Race checks 1 week 1-2 days Race morning
• Changes and/or detours• Confirm traffic control and water
stations• Course marking
Course Setup
• Course marking Impossible to overdo! Paint/Chalk/Tape on Road
• Can be done ahead of time• Semi-permanent• Highly resistant to tampering• Visibility can be compromised by
weather
Course Setup
• Course marking Signs
• Can sometimes be done ahead of time• Sponsorship potential• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering• Requires upright object
“L” backet hangers Campaign-style
Course Setup
• Course marking Cones
• Can only be done just before race• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering and theft• Bulk creates storage & transport
challenges• May be necessary for restricted courses
Course Setup
• Course marking Flags
• Can only be done just before race• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering and theft• Large quantity required• Primarily for cross country• Can be used on roads in a pinch
Course Setup
• Start & Finish Be certain of location
• Should be marked with survey nail and/or referenced from permanent object
Stencils for painting• Problems with extra-deep finish lines
Proper location of timing mats• OFF the course
Course Setup
• Is your finish landmarkedthis well?
Course Setup
• Intermediate Split Points Be certain of location
• Referenced from permanent object• Photo CD
Additional marking• Balloons• Clocks
Location relative to aid stations• Before is Better
Course Setup
• Run as Measured! Required for Records
• Race video• Certified official in Lead Vehicle
Mark, mark, and mark some more!• Multiple methods• Course monitors as backup
Pre-race meeting
Course Setup
• “Restricted” Courses Runners do not have full road width
• Distance requirement• Safety/Official restrictions• Out & Back courses
Avoid if possible• Requires enforcement and documentation• Certified official in Lead Vehicle
Course Setup
• “Effectively Restricted” Courses Runners MAY not have full road
width• Out & Back courses• Safety/Official restrictions• Traffic
Measure as if unrestricted• Runners will go long, but times &
records will count
Course Setup
• Restricted Courses Cone &
Barricades Course
Monitors
Course Setup
• Restricted Courses Movable
ropes
Course Crises
Preparing for when (not if) it all goes wrong
(And improving your odds that it won’t)
Course Crises
Murphy’s Law governs all aspects of
Course Monitoring!If it can go wrong, it will.
Even the best go wrong
sometimes
Course Crises
• Inevitable course SNAFU causes Missed signs/markings Misdirection by monitors/lead vehicle Weather Obstructions
• Fire• Water• Vehicles
• Bridges• Suicide• Drug Bust
Course Crises
• Missed signs Mark via Multiple Methods Post Course Maps prominently Tech meeting/course tours for elites Course monitors at critical
intersections Lead Vehicle
Course Crises
• Misdirection Make sure vehicles & monitors have
course Maps Pre-race meeting
• Weather Alternate route Traffic greater concern than runners
Course Crises
• Obstructions Pre-race drive-through
• Designate course supervisor Communication with authorities Pre-planned detours
• Segmental certification On-the-fly
• 2 Lead vehicles: Course & Pace• Have measurer on site
Course Crises
• Prevention 5P Theory
• Proper Prior Planning Prevents Problems Examine all scenarios for problems
• Test run/ride• Do the pace math
Have a backup, and a backup backup Prepare for the worst,
hope for the best
Course Crises
• Obstructions Pre-race drive-through
• Designate course supervisor Communication with authorities Pre-planned detours
• Segmental certification On-the-fly rerouting
• Have measurer on site
Design forDisaster