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 (now known as World Athletics) 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 test paper by email. After we have checked that, you will be invited 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, 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 carried out at a number of locations.. Six new measurers qualified at the first, held in Exeter on 26 June 2005. Since then several further practicals have been held around the country, and more than 20 further new measurers have qualified after completing the online theory lessons and the practical. Generally a practical can be organised at a convenient location within a month or two of completion of the theory.
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 athletics licensing body (eg RunBritain for England, or the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales). Once you have demonstrated you can do this you will be accredited as a GRADE 2 COURSE MEASURER of the Association of UK Course Measurers. Your measurements will then be recognised by the governing bodies for Road Running: UKA's RunBritain and the ARC, the Association of Running Clubs.
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.
THE TRAINING IS ALL FREE. YOU WILL NEED A BIKE FOR YOUR PRCTICAL. WE CAN LOAN YOU A COUNTER WHICH HAS BEEN FUNDED BY UKA.