A course record (CR) is the fastest time recorded on a particular racecourse. This can be in professional races or in segments, such as on Strava. For standard races such as marathon races, bike races, or triathlons, the course record is the fastest recorded time for any competitor to have finished the entire racecourse. It indicates the fastest recorded time to complete the course in the prevailing conditions.
Course records for large races such as the marathon or bicycle races are valuable because they provide an indication of how well the athlete performed on that particular course. Course records typically call for ideal conditions and exceptional performance. For instance, achieving course record in the Tour de France or Boston Marathon makes an individual an instant legend. Even in training or recreation environments, Strava course records provide the quickest time in which an individual can complete a created course or segment. These personal records promote rivalry as well as motivation, allowing athletes such as runners, cyclists, as well as other endurance sport athletes, to compete with other athletes who used the same course. Course records in competitions as well as on social media advertise the skill of the athlete as well as provide motivation for subsequent attempts.
