Flat race. (Read 490 times)

If someone describes a course as "flat" is it a subjective thing or is there a more objective meaning to the word "flat" -- such as the net elevation gain/loss=0?

There are some objective measures. For world record consideration, there are limits on how much net elevation change there can be on a point-to-point course. That rule is used to disqualify course that are too downhill. But for the most part it's subjective. And the net gain/loss=0 is meaningless, because a) all loop courses (courses that start and finish in the same location) have a net of 0, regardless of how much climbing there is in them b) I once ran a 25k race that started and ended at sea level. Net= 0. But lt climbed from sea level to 1500'. Twice. Nothing flat about that. c) Trent thinks almost every course but his is flat.

DW and I have hiked in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen ... those switchbacks would be a punishing run for me.

Jungfrau