Re: Emer Casey Memorial 10km measurement
As course measurer of the route for the Emer Casey Memorial 10km, the following points may be of some relevance:
The course was measured on Tuesday evening, May 6th, by the Jones Counter approved method. Each mile was marked and, after consulting one of the organisers, I am confident that each mile marker was placed in the correct position. I did not measure the distance from the three-mile to 5km – this mark was placed on the road afterwards and therefore was not correct, so this is probably where some people got the impression that the markers were out.
Also, most people regard 10km as being 6.2 miles - however the distance is actually 6.21 miles which is 24 yards longer (6 miles, 376 yards versus 6 miles, 352 yards). With all Jones Counter measurements a short-course safeguard factor of one metre per kilometre is also built into the measurement, meaning that 10 metres is added to a 10km or 42 metres to a marathon.
Another small point on Sunday’s course – at the roundabout just after four miles turning on to the Breton Road (where the race finished), the route was measured on the footpath around the corner.
However, it seems most runners actually ran on the road but again the extra distance would be insignificant.
It is amusing at times to note that when a course is measured on the road the runners will take to the footpath, and when you measure on the footpath they stay on the road!
And one final foot(path!)note - the course for next week’s John Buckley Sports 5km at the Marina was measured recently entirely on the road, so anyone who goes on the footpath is not running the actual measured route. It will be interesting to see how many comply with this!
John Walshe
Course Measurer
7 comments:
Shortcuts should be taped off if possible please.
People taking shortcuts are cheating, and they know it! But taping them off is a bit over the top - it's hard enough to organise a race without having to cater for people who don't want to abide by the rules.
Good man John Walshe. Where would running be without you.
My own Garmin gave 6.28 which is acceptable as I did not take the "racing line" at all times. Charity event anyway and huge elevation drop so hard to claim 10Km PB's anyway.
Winner on the day was the charity...
My Garmin is always out a little. Interesting to note about the extra piece tagged on. Run the course not the watch. Well done John Walshe
Fully agree with that.we are lucky in Cork that races are accurately measured.If boston marathon isn't allowable for record purposes then I'm fairly sure the 10k last Sunday wouldn't either.big drop in elevation from start to finish.
Fair play to you John Walshe. An excellently worded answer.
All runners, from the regular race winners to the runners who make up the rear of the field owe you a huge thank you for your tireless work on our behalf. Its rare these days not to see you at the Registration table at all the local races, and then helping out down at the start lines, before you then run the race as well. A big thank you - it is appreciated, John.
John Walshe, well said / clearly explained. That puts the Garmin in it's place.
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