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Race distance v Garmin distance

  • 11-12-2011 07:41PM
    #1
    JohnDozer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭


    Apologies if this has been covered previously, but my forum search has proved fruitless. How much variation between race distances and garmin readings should there be? How much is acceptable and what causes it, obviously the lines you run have a small impact but are there other factors?


Comments

  • #2
    Oryx
    Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    afaik elevation can have an effect to but I'm not sure to what degree.


  • #3
    Unregistered.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,532 ✭✭✭Unregistered.


    Oryx wrote: »
    afaik elevation can have an effect to but I'm not sure to what degree.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcYppAs6ZdI


  • #4
    TFBubendorfer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,340 ✭✭✭TFBubendorfer


    It depends on the distance, obviously.

    For a marathon, 26.2 miles, you should expect 26.4 - 26.5 miles on the Garmin.


  • #5
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    JohnDozer wrote: »
    Apologies if this has been covered previously, but my forum search has proved fruitless. How much variation between race distances and garmin readings should there be? How much is acceptable and what causes it, obviously the lines you run have a small impact but are there other factors?

    Garmin is supposed to be accurate to about 2% I think. If you're running somewhere with lots of tree cover/tall buildings you might lose your signal so it'll be less accurate.
    The thing is that a race distance is measured along the shortest possible route - right along the edge of the road, running corner to corner, etc. If the race is at all busy you won't be able to follow that route (and a lot of people don't even seem to think of it)
    The Garmin variance could be either up or down, not following the racing line will always push the measured distance up.


  • #6
    ultraman1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,742 ✭✭✭ultraman1


    too many variables to say how accurate a garmin relative to a race distance,most important 1 is if the race distance is measured accuratly in the first instance


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  • #7
    BobMac104
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,098 ✭✭✭BobMac104


    Mine usually is out by the same amount. The dublin marathon was 26.5 and the clonakilty half was 13.25 yeaterday. once you know thats the case sure you can adjust then yourself.


  • #8
    EDINBRO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭EDINBRO


    Thinking of getting one actually. Could anyone suggest good one at reasonable price.


  • #9
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    Garmin 305 from Amazon.

    Have a look in the Gear subforum, there's loads of threads about which Garmin to buy


  • #10
    JohnDozer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭JohnDozer


    Thanks for the constructive answers, more than helpful. Useful to know, had two different experiences recently, undermeasured for a 10k but not too bothered about that. Also did the Clonakilty Half on Saturday which clocked in at 13.29, which I felt was substantial, probably because of the mental anguish inflicted on me because of it over the last two miles of the race. So, forewarned is forearmed and I'll know the next time.

    Regarding a recommendation, the Garmin 305 is better than everyone says it is! Around €100 on Amazon and worth every cent.


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