Course Tool Question relating to 2008 Park City Marathon Course

[Paul (RivertonPaul)]

I've not used the course tool much before, but checking the smooth course feature makes a big difference. For example, by checking the smooth the course out feature in the 2008 Park City Marathon course created by importing the data from the KML file provided by the marathon, the projected finish time for a target flat pace of 7:20 drops from 3:27:28 to 3:21:14. I wish I had more experience in which is a better projection.

Should I check the smooth course option, not check it, or split the difference?

[Sasha Pachev]

Assuming that you used the default 20% crazy grade cutoff, and given that PCM does not have 20% grade anywhere, the smoothed prediction would be more accurate. In fact, for that course if you set it at 10% it will be even better. There is nothing steeper than 10% on that course. Be aware, though, that Course Tool does not take the effects of less oxygen at altitude into consideration. At least not yet.

[Paul (RivertonPaul)]

Thanks Sasha, as always you are a fountain of information.