Racing a Course Effectively: USATF Shortest Possible Route!

The topic came up this morning during a group run about running the shortest possible route during a race. I was surprised that not everyone was familiar with the advantage of running this way and how it is used by elite runners because this is how the USATF (USA Track and Field) requires courses to be measured to certify them.








The purpose of the USATF course certification program is to produce road race courses of consistently accurate measured distances.  The certification program is very important to the average road racer as well as those of exceptional speed.  Most runners like to compare performance run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable.  No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate.

The USATF defines a race course as the shortest possible route that a runner could take and not be disqualified.   A runner might not follow the shortest possible route, just like a runner on a track may be forced to run further to pass another runner.  The shortest possible route is a reasonably well-defined and unambiguous route that ensures all runners will run at least the stated race distance.  Even if you are racing on a course that is not certified, you can still implement the technique of using the shortest possible route to your advantage.

The USATF goes into great detail of how to properly measure a course on their website, but we will just  cover the three basic situations encountered in following how it is measured for the shortest possible route.  For complete detailed information, you can visit the USATF website at...

 http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/certification/manual/shortest-possible-route.asp

First, if you enter a roadway by making a right turn and leave it by making another right turn, follow a path prudently close to the curb around both turns and in-between.

Second, if you enter a roadway by making a right turn and leave it by making a left turn, move in as straight a line as possible, diagonally from where you entered on the right to the most extreme left position available to the runner just before making the second turn.  Again, make the second turn as prudently close to the curb as you can.

Third, when running on a winding roadway, do not follow the side of the road.  Unless portions of the roadway will be closed to runners by cones and/or barricades and will be monitored, run the straightest and shortest path possible, moving from one side of the road to the other as necessary to follow the shortest possible route.

NO RESTRICTIONS-
RUNNERS MAY USE ENTIRE ROAD

RIGHT SIDE ONLY-
RUNNERS MAY NOT CROSS CENTER LINE
-CONES AND MONITORS REQUIRED

OK, so this is a small example of how courses are measured properly and how to run them during a race to your advantage.  One small side note is to use some common sense and always be aware of your surroundings.  If you are running in a large group, and it is very congested, you do not want to "cut off" other runners, as this can pose a tripping hazard.

Happy Running,

Eve and Bart