Some interesting detail on how marathon courses are measured, and how weird the London course is. Good on David - I hope he continues to contribute to lrc.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304765304577479061991721208.html
On a personal note - kids, read the article and notice how good it sounds when a person has found his calling.
great article
Good read.
I wonder if this guy costs more or less than professional surveyors.
Rock on, Dave!!!!
Pretty sure those guys qualify as professional Athletic Events surveyors. Ask them how much they charge to measure a course for your 10Km turkey trot and the answer will reveal just how ptofessional they are.
Awesome job, Dave. And thanks for posting on lrc to answer questions from time to time.
I've posted this before but here it is again for those who may have missed it. The 2008 Beijing Olympics Measurement Report, starting at Page 8, Summary of Measurements, shows just what's involved:
http://www.runscore.com/coursemeasurement/Articles/Beijing2008.pdf
And I'm Thankful to see David at numerous road races here on Long Island. Whenever I see the FLRRT truck at a local race here on the Island I know the race will be run well.
And it's always fun seeing him talk to those runners whom shouldn't be at the front start line for a race.
Thank you for the nice comments.
But there are dozens of men and women around the country who share my passion and are as accurate or more.
USATF Certification is good for 10 years if the course has not changed. IAAF Certification is good for 5 years.
The price for getting a course measured and Certified varies from measurer to measurer - we are all independent contractors.
The only courses I measure are for my own events, New York Road Runners events and the few appointments - Olympic Games.
Discussing this with other measurers, their price range is around $250-300 for a 5k (+travel) and around $1500-$2000 + for a full marathon. Often there is a great deal of development work involved creating a course which could results in additional fees.
It does vary, but I know a guy who charges roughly $50-100/km.
If you have met this guy you know he is a pompous prick. I asked him that question at a USATF function he told me $5000 for a 5k... So full of himself its ridiculous, I think I have his business card around somewhere.
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Rest in Peace Adrian Lehmann - 2:11 Swiss marathoner. Dies of heart attack.
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
I think Letesenbet Gidey might be trying to break 14 this Saturday
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!