Trail Running bid for Olympic inclusion

An avid trail runner is mapping every twist and turn of the trails around Brisbane’s Mount Coot-tha in an effort to bring much-needed precision to the growing sport.

University of Queensland research scientist Raimundo Sanchez has covered the trails hundreds of times with a professional GPS.

Unlike a regular marathon or running event that can be measured using a calibrated bicycle, accurately measuring trail runs is an endeavour in science and technology.

There’s no international standard for how trail running events are measured, which Dr Sanchez said was hindering the sport from being taken more seriously.