SANCTIONED road race courses aren’t necessarily CERTIFIED

Q - Coach, can you clarify the difference between a road race that's Sanctioned and one that is Certified?

A - Sure can. 

First, check out the very extensive criteria needed in order for the run event to be granted Sanctioning by Athletics Ontario (HERE).These criteria insure that the event is exceptionally well organized.   

And the logo below can be displayed with the event's marketing. 

A Sanction Certificate

But  you’ll also see that one of the race route criteria is the following:

“Course must be measured by bicycle,GPS or Jones Wheel Counter, marked and clearly communicated prior to race day”
 
So, this criteria doesn’t stipulate if, and h​ow, the various methods have been calibrated to insure accuracy, and thus the advertised distances can’t be considered legitimate(i.e., Certified).

A Course Certificate

 
​IMPORTANCE
​
​So why is this important, as opposed to a runner being satisfied that he or she  has actually run the advertised distance? Well, it's because only Certified road performances can be considered eligible for

1) inclusion in official rankings;

2) determining Provincial & National financial support; and 

3) determining Provincial & National team selections

​Note that before a course can be granted Certification by Athletiics Canada, the event must first be sanctioned.

So you may ask why aren't more races certified. Well, it's because of the amount of work involved. I have described the exacting process in an article HERE. 

And there's more information at my website HERE. 

You can check to see if a race course has been Certified by Athletics Canada HERE.

Note - The above pertains to the Canadian scene. Go HERE to see the similiar scene in the United States.