Welcome, measurers!

RaceMeasure's goal is to become the source for current races using certified courses.  Currently, we are primarily focused on Colorado.  However, we are ready to expand to cover more territory.  To do that, we need measurers around the country.  That's where you come in.

If you are interested in becoming part of RaceMeasure, please read all the information on this page.  It will give you a good overview of what we are, and will be, doing.  After reading, if you feel this is something you would like to get involved with, please email us and we will further explore the possibilities.  If you have a suggestion for an improvement, please let us know.

Option 1:
If RaceMeasure cultivates the lead for a new course to measure and map, RaceMeasure standards must be met for maps.  Many measurers hand-draw maps.  While some of these are very good, many are not.  RaceMeasure does all maps through Adobe Illustrator software.  For consistency, if a measurer cannot do maps according to RaceMeasure guidelines, the measurer will be paid for measurement, but mapping will be done by someone else.  Some measurers are doing their own Illustrator mapping, and that is encouraged.

Measurers will submit all certification paperwork to RaceMeasure, and we will submit it to your certifier, paying that fee.

RaceMeasure will bill the client, and be responsible for collecting the fee.  Measurers will be paid upon submission of properly-submitted paperwork and files.  Of particular importance are the elevation profile and track files generated by a GPS device.  Online mapping programs don't accurately profile courses, as they are using data from original earth contours, before earthmoving equipment arrived.  Bridges and hillside roads are often very inaccurate profiles when generated through software (we have a 3-mile long dam with a road across the top.  The software shows the original contour of the valley floor).  The track file is important for keeping the course to-scale.  Many city/recreational maps are representations of streets, and are not to-scale.  This leads to mile marks being wrong in relation to each other.

Currently, RaceMeasure pricing is posted on our Website.  If you are now charging less, we will see if your market will bear an increase.  If not, your current pricing will be used.  However, we feel we offer a reasonable value for this specialized service, and would try to get everyone up to the posted price structure.  If you currently are charging more, we will use your current structure, so you will continue to receive the market rate for your area.

If you cultivate the lead, but want to have RaceMeasure map and handle billing/payment, that is fine, also.

OR:
If you cultivate the lead and want to do everything yourself, just send us a PDF and jpg of your certification map, and we will post it on the RaceMeasure site.  Our main goal is to have as complete a list of certified-course maps for the entire country as we can. 

As we are now in the growing stage, all plans are subject to change, and your input is encouraged.  We don't profess to have the perfect plan, although we think it is pretty darn good.  But, believe it or not, we have been wrong before, so we are open to alternate ideas.  Don't be shy, as we have thick skin and can handle it.

Interested?  Read everything below, check out the rest of our site, and send us an email.  Let's grow this profession!

RaceMeasure Subcontractor Overview

Anyone doing coursework or mapping for RaceMeasure is doing so as a subcontractor.  As such, each person is responsible for their own insurance, liability, equipment, software, and taxes.   

All work done by subcontractors shall be to the standards of USA T&F and RaceMeasure.  USA T&F standards and guidelines may be viewed at http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/certification/manual/.  RaceMeasure map examples can be seen at www.RaceMeasure.com, in the Course Maps section.

Course Measurers:

Course Measurers will receive a link to a map on MapMyRun.com, which will show them the course to be measured.  Also, any specifics will be supplied, such as exactly where the Start and Finish will be, which one is adjustable, and anything else that is important to know prior to measuring.  Measurers will be given a timeline to complete the measurement, and will agree to it, or turn down the particular course.  Some Race Directors have a short timeline, some don’t.  Normally, when RaceMeasure is contacted, there is a short window (two weeks, or less), so a quick turn can be anticipated.  However, no course will be awarded to a Measurer until all details have been covered with the Race Director.

Course Measurers will:

1)  Measure the course to USA T&F standards, which includes, but is not limited to, pre-measurement calibration, two measurements of the course which are within .008 of each other, and post-measurement calibration.

2)  Provide accurate descriptions of the Start, Finish, each mile point, and turnaround, if part of the course.  Occasionally, normally in Marathon courses, relay points may also be required.

3)  Mark the course with nail & washer and painted STENCIL marking at the Start, Finish, each mile point, and turnaround, if part of the course.  Marking may not be done if marking would be considered unsightly and in poor taste for a particular location (a pedestrian mall, for instance).  On trails, pink surveyor’s whiskers shall also be used.

Paint shall be yellow STRIPING paint, so all courses are marked uniformly.  In the situation where old markings must be discarded, use grey or black paint to cover old markings on blacktop, or off-white on concrete.  If multiple courses have mile marks close to the same spot, use red paint to mark the new course.

4)  Provide a GPS-created elevation profile file (.txt file is sufficient).  Garmin is preferred, but other units may be accommodated.

5)  Provide a GPS-created track file (.txt file is sufficient) of the course.

6)  Provide digital photos showing Start, Finish, each mile point, and turnaround.  (RaceMeasure.com/Southlands)

                a)  Photos shall be named with the location, followed by the direction the photo is looking –

                “M1s” would be Mile 1, looking south.  You may spell them out if necessary, but simple is better.

b)  Ideally, there will be two photos of each location, unless one is exceptionally clear, and can be seen      from a long way off.

7)  Provide hand-drawn detail sketches of Start, Finish, and other points where it may be necessary for Mapmaker to provide detailed information on the certification map.

8)  Receive 30% of base fee charged to client.  If client pays for additional measurement work, measurer will receive additional compensation, depending on additional work required of the measurer.

9)  Submit IRS form W-9 to RaceMeasure, before receiving any payment.

Mapmakers:

Mapmakers will:

1)  Receive necessary files and information to allow for accurate creation of maps to RaceMeasure standards.  Required software: Adobe Illustrator CS3, Microsoft Excel, Internet browser.  Files are required to be submitted to RaceMeasure in PC format, not Mac.

2)  Create maps to USA T&F and RaceMeasure standards.  Print a map from the RaceMeasure Website to refer to when making the first few maps.  This includes; notation of all mile points, Start/Finish details and other detailed sketches as required; course instructions as provided by measurer; and elevation profile and information. 

                a)  Course will be 2pt line, black, and all one element

b)  Most other map lines will be 1pt, 30% black, including cross-streets, street outlines, and buildings.  Major streets (Interstates, parkways, etc.) may be indicated in 2pt, 30% black

                c)  Pointing arrows will be 1pt 100% black, with “Effects>Stylize>Add Arrowhead” 50% arrowhead

                d)  All notes will be in Myriad Pro (default) font

1.  Street names will be 8pt black

2.  Mile points will be 8pt. BOLD

3.  Mile descriptions and most course notes will be 8pt

4.  Only notes of extraordinary importance shall be larger, and bold if needed.

3)  Submit maps to RaceMeasure in Illustrator CS3 native format, and Adobe PDF format.

4)  Receive 30% of base fee charged to client.

5)  Submit IRS form W-9 to RaceMeasure, before receiving any work.