Why get a Course measured?

Why?

Race entry fees are quite high (very high in some cases) and runners should therefore expect that they are getting what they pay for. If you pay the entry fee for a 10k, you expect the course to be 10k, not more, not less.

Therefore, if you advertise your race for a specific distance, you should take steps to ensure that you can deliver what you advertise. Measuring the distance on-line, with a GPS device or, worst of all, in a car is not good enough.

Do you want to attract top-class athletes?

If your race turns out to be under or over-distance, runners are unlikely to return to future events that you stage.

Runners are also more likely to be attracted to races that have a Certificate of Course Accuracy and when their promotional material carries the "Certified Accurate" logo.

Does if matter?

Yes!

If you are a runner you expect to get what you pay for.

Without a Certificate of Course Accuracy, and if your event is not licensed:

runners' times will not qualify for inclusion in Power of 10 rankings;
any records "set" will not be recognised;
runners will be unable to use times achieved to meet qualification times for major events, such as the London Marathon.

Can I get a Scottish Athletics licence for an unmeasured course?

No!

If a race is advertised as of a specific distance it will not be licensed without a Certificate of Course Accuracy and AUKCM (Scotland) will only issue certificates for races that will be licensed. We work closely with Scottish Athletics to ensure, as far as possible, that these conditions are adhered to.

What's in it for Runners?

I'm a club runner: why does it matter?

Firstly, if you've paid to run a set distance, you expect to get what you've paid for, and nowadays many races aren't cheap to enter.

Then, you run the race, cross the line, check your time and, hurrah, it's a PB. Only it turns out that it isn't, because it subsequently transpires that the race was short. This really shouldn't happen.

Some race promoters are large commercial organisations and make a lot of money from staging events, especially in big cities. Their profits come from you, the runner. They can afford the costs of measurement but a few don't like to cut into their profit margins.

They also avoid payng any levies to the sports governing bodies, thus denying funds to promote and develop grassroot sports.

I'm an elite runner, why does it matter?

It matters more to you.

All the above applies, plus, on an uncertificated course, none of your times will qualify for inclusion in World Athletics rankings.

If you set any records (national, international or world) they will not be recognised

What should you do before entering a race?

You should check that:

the race has been measured;
that it has a Certificate of Course Accuracy; and
that it has a licence from either Scottish Athletics or the Association of Running Clubs.

This information should be displayed on the race website. If it is not obvious, ask the organisers.

Unlicensed races may not meet the standards required by Scottish Athletics, in relation to health and safety, risk assessment and insurance.

You can also go to https://www.course-measurement-scotland.com/certified-races-in-scotland where a list of all forthcoming certified races can be viewed. If the race you're interested in isn't there it is neither certified nor licensed.

Note: Arrangements for certification only apply to races that advertise a specific distance. Off-road races, trail races and those that do not specify an exact distance do not need a Certificate of Course Accuracy.

Why get a Course measured?

Why?

Race entry fees are quite high (very high in some cases) and runners should therefore expect that they are getting what they pay for. If you pay the entry fee for a 10k, you expect the course to be 10k, not more, not less.

Therefore, if you advertise your race for a specific distance, you should take steps to ensure that you can deliver what you advertise. Measuring the distance on-line, with a GPS device or, worst of all, in a car is not good enough.

Do you want to attract top-class athletes?

If your race turns out to be under or over-distance, runners are unlikely to return to future events that you stage.

Runners are also more likely to be attracted to races that have a Certificate of Course Accuracy and when their promotional material carries the "Certified Accurate" logo.

Does if matter?

Yes!

If you are a runner you expect to get what you pay for.

Without a Certificate of Course Accuracy, and if your event is not licensed:

runners' times will not qualify for inclusion in Power of 10 rankings;

any records "set" will not be recognised;

runners will be unable to use times achieved to meet qualification times for major events, such as the London Marathon.

Can I get a Scottish Athletics licence for an unmeasured course?

No!

What's in it for Runners?

I'm a club runner: why does it matter?

Firstly, if you've paid to run a set distance, you expect to get what you've paid for, and nowadays many races aren't cheap to enter.

Then, you run the race, cross the line, check your time and, hurrah, it's a PB. Only it turns out that it isn't, because it subsequently transpires that the race was short. This really shouldn't happen.

Some race promoters are large commercial organisations and make a lot of money from staging events, especially in big cities. Their profits come from you, the runner. They can afford the costs of measurement but a few don't like to cut into their profit margins.

They also avoid payng any levies to the sports governing bodies, thus denying funds to promote and develop grassroot sports.

I'm an elite runner, why does it matter?

It matters more to you.

All the above applies, plus, on an uncertificated course, none of your times will qualify for inclusion in World Athletics rankings.

If you set any records (national, international or world) they will not be recognised

What should you do before entering a race?

You should check that:

the race has been measured;

that it has a Certificate of Course Accuracy; and

that it has a licence from either Scottish Athletics or the Association of Running Clubs.

This information should be displayed on the race website. If it is not obvious, ask the organisers.

Unlicensed races may not meet the standards required by Scottish Athletics, in relation to health and safety, risk assessment and insurance.

You can also go to https://www.course-measurement-scotland.com/certified-races-in-scotland where a list of all forthcoming certified races can be viewed. If the race you're interested in isn't there it is neither certified nor licensed.

Note: Arrangements for certification only apply to races that advertise a specific distance. Off-road races, trail races and those that do not specify an exact distance do not need a Certificate of Course Accuracy.