Maybe it is an open secret, but only the Kona and Louisville IM run courses are certified. This means, of course, that we are probably running short marathons. Does this bother anybody? With the financial strength of WTC, can’t they measure their courses with the same standards as a local charity race?
Drbriansmart.com
There’s a downside to such rigidity. If you have a natural loop or course that falls just short, you have to create some tracts just to appease the distance. At times, this is even worse that running a 1/2 mile less that ‘regulation’. In the end, every athlete covers the same amount of pavement making it a fair race. No 2 courses have the same topography meaning that you can’t compare one course to the next anyway. I think that there are some real gems out there in terms of races and the idea that the bike loop or marathon isn’t exactly perfect doesn’t deter from that in the least bit.
Ironman Chatt 144.6 survivor. Where’s my car ribbon?
I really don’t care. I am not running a marathon, I am running the run portion of an Ironman Triathlon.
Los cabos bike was 111 miles and the run was .4 long and the swim was short.
IM MD the swim was long(allegedly) and the bike was 1.1 miles short.
But nobody should be OCD about it. Does not alter results and they are that way for a reason, i.e. the course just sets up better that way.
Ironman Chatt 144.6 survivor. Where’s my car ribbon?
That course will be the trend-setter…I think you might see the new Boulder bike course tipping the scales at over 115 miles.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has a comment:
Art: The little lights… they aren’t twinkling.
Clark: I know, Art. Thanks for noticing.
Maybe it is an open secret, but only the Kona and Louisville IM run courses are certified. This means, of course, that we are probably running short marathons. Does this bother anybody? With the financial strength of WTC, can’t they measure their courses with the same standards as a local charity race?
Drbriansmart.com
You think your local charity race is more accurate?
LOL
Yes, local 5Ks that are USATF certified (which us virtually all) are more accurate.
Anyway, I’m usually just happy that the run is over.
Thanks for the great comments, everybody.
Brian
Drbriansmart.com
Maybe it is an open secret, but only the Kona and Louisville IM run courses are certified. This means, of course, that we are probably running short marathons. Does this bother anybody? With the financial strength of WTC, can’t they measure their courses with the same standards as a local charity race?
Drbriansmart.com
Seems like an equal chance that we’re running long marathons. Which would bother me more 
Every race I’ve done, my gps has been within a couple tenths of 26.2.
You seriously believe that most local 5Ks are certified and have the registration number to prove it? I would guess that no more than 5% have paid for a qualified certifier who did it right and completed the paperwork.
Also, even if the run was certified how would you account for the very different T1 and T2 runs? These can vary by more than a quarter mile between some races.
you sir, win ST for the day. chapeau
I really don’t care. I am not running a marathon, I am running the run portion of an Ironman Triathlon.
Don’t give a shit. It’s not a pool, track or velodrome so it will never be perfect.
Not bothered at all, there is enough variation between courses and different years that a half mile here or there is the least of your worries. For example, in Austria 2012 I’d have happily run 26.5 miles instead of the 25.8 registered by my Garmin, if only somebody turned the Sun down from 11*. The 42 degree C heat was a much bigger factor than a half mile either way.
*This Is Spinal Tap reference.
Many people believe that IM marathon courses are short. Should anyone care? It does make performances harder to compare, and it might lead a bit a progressive shortening of courses. Some races like to advertise as fast courses…
You seriously believe that most local 5Ks are certified and have the registration number to prove it? I would guess that no more than 5% have paid for a qualified certifier who did it right and completed the paperwork.
Also, even if the run was certified how would you account for the very different T1 and T2 runs? These can vary by more than a quarter mile between some races.
Truth.
Ironman Chatt 144.6 survivor. Where’s my car ribbon?
That course will be the trend-setter…I think you might see the new Boulder bike course tipping the scales at over 115 miles.
What makes you say this? I know there has been talk abut the new course but not sure if anything concrete has come to light.
Ironman Chatt 144.6 survivor. Where’s my car ribbon?
Will the ribbon need an asterix on it for the swim?
I guess my question is that if you are making the inference that we are all “running short marathons” because the majority of IM marathons are not certified; then who is to say that we are not running longer than marathon distance?
Special event permits for events like this are public record…at least in Larimer County.