The Potomac Valley Association of USA Track & Field will conduct two Long Distance Running (LDR) Officials Training and Certification sessions in October. Teaming with PVA, the Maryland RRCA will also present a race management component at each session. Participants will also be offered an opportunity to get some hands-on experience at the host race. Both the National and Local (PVA) USATF organizations sanction this training.

The job of an official at a road race or cross-country event is to assure an equitable and safe competition with the prime focus on facilitating fair competition between athletes. The sessions will provide race officials with an understanding of the rules and give them perspective on how to apply the rules with dignity, common sense, and fairness.

The first session will be held at the Army Ten-Miler on Saturday, October 19, 2002, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. The registration deadline for this session is Wednesday, October 16, 2002. The next session will be held at the Marine Corps Marathon on Saturday, October 26, 2002, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Registration deadline for this session is 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2002.

Each session is limited to 30 people. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $30 per person. The fee includes all materials and a 2003 PVA/USATF membership. For those holding a 2003 PVA/USATF membership, the cost is $20. Participants will receive a take-home test, and, upon successful completion, will receive their USATF Official Certification.

Applications are available by calling (301) 588-4426, e-mail: tbake03@attglobal.net or writing to: LDR Officials Training and Certification, c/o Tim Baker, 1900 Lyttonsville Road, #409, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Make checks payable to: PVA/USATF and mail to the above address.

There are 57 USATF member associations that cover the full geographic territory of the United States. The Potomac Valley Association is the regional association of the State of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. For further information about PVA, please call the PVA Office at (301) 652-5051 or visit the web site.