Accurate measurement of road race courses is essential in ultra running. Imagine the effort of running for 100 miles only to find the course is not accurate and your PB doesn't count.
The use of a calibrated bicycle with a Jones Counter fitted to the hub of the front wheel is the only approved methodology. The course must also be measured by an appropriately qualified person, i.e., an "A" or "B" IAAF / AIMS approved measurer.
The basis of the measurement methodology is to compare the number of revolutions of the bicycle wheel (recorded in 'counts') needed to cover the race course with the number of revolutions needed to cover a standard 'calibration course' of known length. There are many important details to follow in order to obtain an acceptable measurement. However, the following eight steps give the basics:
1. Define the road race course
2. Select and measure a calibration course
3. Calibrate the bicycle on the calibration course
4. Measure the road race course
5. Re-calibrate the bicycle on the calibration course
6. Calculate the length of the road race course
7. Make final adjustments to the road race course
8. Document the measurement
Please see this IAAF article for a brief outline: By the book.
You can also view the Measurement Report on the Celtic 100k Road Race as an example of proper procedure.
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