Measuring a XC course

There is no USATF-accepted method to measure a cross country course. USATF has a certification process that doesn't include measurement of cross country courses because of all the variables inherent vs the roads. If I were measuring the course, I'd use a measuring wheel & follow the shortest path available to the runners. I'd recommend you figure out how accurate the wheel is before use.

Cross country isn't about exact distances - no one should really care about XC courses being accurate.

Naples wrote:

What is the accepted method used by coaches and the USATF? Measure down the middle or measure the shortest route a runner could possibly take?

flounder wrote:

no one should really care about XC courses being accurate.

No one except the runners themselves. A race director owes it to the racers to provide a reasonably accurate distance so they have an idea about pacing. If they don't give an accurate distance they don't care much about xc.

Back on topic, measure the shortest route a runner can take. Imagine you're the lead runner with the ability to cut corners.

As scotth indicated, courses are measured along the shortest possible legal path.

Were you also asking for how to get an accurate measurement of a XC course? It won't be easy, but you'll likely get closer to it with a team of people using steel tapes and cones (for taping around turns) than just about any other way.

The standard for road courses (at least used to be) has a 1-meter at the bend (i.e., a corner) rather than the absolute shortest possible path. This seems like an appropriate standard to me, especially since there are not distance records at stake.

26mi235 wrote:

The standard for road courses (at least used to be) has a 1-meter at the bend (i.e., a corner) rather than the absolute shortest possible path.

Right, at least it used to be about 27 years ago.

26mi235 wrote:

The standard for road courses (at least used to be) has a 1-meter at the bend (i.e., a corner) rather than the absolute shortest possible path. This seems like an appropriate standard to me, especially since there are not distance records at stake.

The current standard is 30cm, or about a foot. Orange cones are very close to this in width.

the currently accepted practice for measuring cross country courses is to measure down the middle of the course NOT the tangents.... road races are measured tangentially.

Asbel Kiprop wrote:

the currently accepted practice for measuring cross country courses is to measure down the middle of the course NOT the tangents.... road races are measured tangentially.

Hmmm, that does not match what I read, although I gather that this has been a topic of debate for some time. My current understanding, after some last-minute searching, is that a XC course is measured:

1) From the middle of the start line to the start of the first turn.

2) Following a path 2 feet from the insidemost part of the turn (1 foot for road courses).

3) If a turn in the opposite direction occurs next, follow the straight line tangent to the start of that next curve, then follow the curve 2 feet from the inside.

4) From the last curve to the finish, measure to the middle of the finish line.

So, under these guidelines, it's not quite identical to road race courses, but adopts many of the same principles. Around turns, you'd have to use 2 cones, not 1, you start measuring from the middle of the start line, and you end measuring at the middle of the finish line. Otherwise, assume the path is a straight line.

Thanks. All starting points are supposed to be the same distance from the first turn.

from the 2006 NFHS TFCC handbook

2006 NFHS "Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Book," TFRB06, Rule 9.1, p.66: "Measurement shall be along the middle of the course."

Where is David Katz when you need him?

Ask the pro wrote:

Where is David Katz when you need him?

Answering on the other thread it seems. If you want him on here it looks like he is available but not cheap!

Wow, Nerds celebrate! Two measuring threads at the same time!

Just got back from Nanning China. 29 hourse to get there, stayed 48 hourse, and 27 hours to get home - my head is spinning. The best thing about visiting China (from NY) - you don't have to change your watch except your eating breakfast at dinner time!

Naples wrote:

What is the accepted method used by coaches and the USATF? Measure down the middle or measure the shortest route a runner could possibly take?

High School - center of course

College - Tangents...haven't seen the distance out from curves to measure from...can anyone locate that specific info in a NCAA Manual??

Meter Man wrote:

Naples wrote:

What is the accepted method used by coaches and the USATF? Measure down the middle or measure the shortest route a runner could possibly take?

High School - center of course

College - Tangents...haven't seen the distance out from curves to measure from...can anyone locate that specific info in a NCAA Manual??

Course Markings

ARTICLE 3. The course shall be properly measured along the shortest possible route that a runner may take and must be marked clearly by a white or colored line on the ground for the entire route of the course.

So how do they measure a curve when there is a fence along the inner line? The runner can only get so close to the fence.

Where do they measure when fans are out on the course in the non-fenced areas? The line, three feet from the line, five feet from the line? I can see how course distances can vary so much.

So can the measurers that use Jones counters on bikes measure a course like the NCAA National Course in Terre Haute. Would they walk their bike along all of the fence lines? Then establish a count for a bike being walked in comparison to one being riden?