1. DETAILS OF SEMINARS
This INTRODUCTORY LESSON to the Course Measurement Training Seminar briefly describes the basic method of measuring road race courses which has been approved by the IAAF and is in use throughout the world. On the last page you will find some simple exercises.
If you wish to proceed to the THEORY TRAINING SEMINAR, you should send in the answers to the exercises by email. You will be then allowed to enter a web-based THEORY TRAINING SEMINAR which was first opened in May 2005. It will probably take you a few weeks to work though this seminar because there are exercises which you have to submit, and at the end a test to confirm you have learnt and can apply the basic theory. However, the total content could all be learnt in a day long session.
After you have successfully completed the THEORY TRAINING SEMINAR you will know about measuring from a theoretical point of view, but you will still have to gain practical experience and undergo an evaluation of your practical skills. PRACTICAL SEMINARS lasting one day are planned at a number of locations in the South of England. Six new measurers qualified at the first held in Exeter on 26 June 2005. A further 2 measurers qualified at the second practical held at Abingdon on 28 May 2006. We have some more trainees preparing for a practical to be held in Abingdon during the Summer 2007 on a convenient Sunday yet to be selected. The day before this practical we shall also be holding a classroom-style seminar for those who have not completed all this web based theory course.
During the PRACTICAL SEMINAR you will have the opportunity to show that you can measure a real road race course and write a report on your measurement, which would allow the course to be certified as accurate and so receive a race permit from the South of England Athletic Association. Once you have demonstrated you can do this you will be accredited as a GRADE 2 COURSE MEASURER for UK Athletics. Your measurements will then be accepted anywhere in the UK.
As a GRADE 2 COURSE MEASURER you will be expected to measure courses for local road races within a convenient travelling distance. How much you time you can spend on measuring obviously depends on personal circumstances but you will not be accredited unless you are likely to have time to measure at least one or two races per year (i.e. 2 to 4 days minimum). You will need continuing practical experience to consolidate what you have learnt in the training seminars, and of course the UKA needs to get its road races measured.
For International Measurers: Potential measurers in any country are also welcome to try this theory seminar. While the theory can be done without travel by means of the www, for the practical we will have to organise an IAAF accredited measurer to arrrange this for you at a suitable location. Please ask us if you need to be put in touch with someone who can help locally and we will do our best to help find somewhere you can do the practical.