USATF Course Measurement · Monroe, Louisiana
A certified course is the difference between a fast time and an official one.
I measure road race courses to the USATF standard and carry them through certification — across Louisiana, the Ark-La-Miss, and East Texas, with travel available for events farther out. A certified distance means your runners' PRs count, their times can qualify them for Boston, and your event holds up to scrutiny.
- Monroe, LAhome base — serving LA · AR · MS · East TX
- 10 yrcertification validity
- USATFcalibrated-bicycle method
Why get your course certified?
An uncertified course is just a route. A USATF-certified course is a verifiable distance — and it's what separates a fun run from a race runners can trust.
Record & PR eligibility
USATF only accepts road performances for records and national rankings when they're run on a certified course. Certification is the paper trail that makes a breakthrough performance count.
Boston qualifying
The B.A.A. doesn't recognize qualifying times run on non-certified courses — and for U.S. races, that means USATF certification. Time-chasing runners check before they register.
No short-course surprises
Milwaukee's marathon ran long in 2016 and nearly a mile short in 2017 — every finisher's time was worthless for Boston, and the 2018 race was cancelled outright. Professional measurement is how that never happens to your event.
Credibility with sponsors
A certified course signals a professionally run event — the kind sponsors, timing partners, and media want their name on.
Services
Everything it takes to get your course from a route on a map to an official USATF-certified distance.
Course measurement
On-site measurement using the calibrated-bicycle method to the exact USATF standard — the same method used to certify Boston, Chicago, and New York.
Route & course design
Help planning a course that's runnable, spectator-friendly, and measures clean — before you commit to road closures or permits.
Digital route mapping
Detailed digital maps for review before certification, and clean, printable course maps for your event site and runners.
USATF documentation & submission
Complete measurement data and application filed through USATF's online certification system and reviewed by your state's certifier — handled start to finish.
Certificates & renewal
Printable certification documents once approved, valid for 10 years, plus reminders and support when it's time to re-certify.
Start/finish & turn marking
Precise location data for start, finish, and every turnaround or turn point, so your course matches the certified record exactly.
Measured by bicycle — the USATF standard.
A calibrated bike turns a route on a map into an official, certified distance.
How it works
A straightforward process from first call to certified course.
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1
Consultation
Tell me about your event — proposed route, date, and any constraints (road closures, permits, terrain). Free initial consult, no obligation.
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2
Route review
I review your proposed course digitally first, flagging anything that could complicate measurement or certification before anyone's on the road.
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3
Calibrated measurement
On-site measurement using a Jones Counter–equipped bicycle, calibrated against a USATF calibration course, per the official measurement standard.
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4
Documentation & submission
I prepare the full measurement data, maps, and application, and file it through USATF's online certification system for your state certifier's review.
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5
Certified & delivered
Once approved, you receive your official certification number, printable certificate, and course map — good for 10 years.
About Doug Harvey
I'm a road course measurer based in Monroe, Louisiana, working with race directors, cities, schools, and event organizers across the Ark-La-Miss and East Texas. I measure courses to the USATF standard and handle the application that gets them certified. I approach every course as both a measurer and someone who has planned and run events himself — I know what a race director actually needs from a certification, not just what the paperwork requires.
Most of my work is within a few hours of home — North Louisiana, South Arkansas, Mississippi, East Texas — which keeps travel costs out of your quote. For the right event I'll go farther; if your race is outside the region, just ask.
- Measures road courses to the USATF standard
- Based in Monroe — serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi & East Texas
- Race director & event organizer background
Frequently asked questions
How long does a USATF certification last?
A course certification is valid for 10 years, as long as the course itself hasn't changed. If the route changes at all, it needs to be re-measured.
What does course certification cost?
Cost depends on course distance, location, and travel — there's no one-size-fits-all number. Request a quote and I'll give you a firm price before any work begins.
How far will you travel?
My core service area is Louisiana and the surrounding region — most courses I measure are within a half-day's drive of Monroe, which keeps travel costs low. I'll go farther for the right event; travel is always in the quote up front, so there's never a surprise.
How long does the process take?
On-site measurement is usually a single day. From there, certifier review and approval timelines vary by state — I'll give you a realistic estimate once I know where your course is.
Do you handle the USATF paperwork, or just the measurement?
Both. I measure the course and prepare and file the full application and documentation through USATF's certification system, so you're not left assembling paperwork yourself.
What if our course changes after certification?
Any change to the route — even moving a start line or turnaround — means the course is no longer certified until the change is measured and a new certificate is issued. Reach out and I'll re-measure the affected section.
Request a quote
Tell me about your course and event date, and I'll get back to you with a firm quote — usually within one business day.
Don't have every detail yet? Send what you've got — we'll sort out the rest together.