Journalists are not analysts. If the subject involves statistics, math, science, analysis, or any such thing, the most accurate generalizatoin is that the newspaper is likely to screw it up. DCR had some good retorts, but I would add first that NYT never established a proper standard of measurement for comparison to a GPS. As any longtime runner can tell you, there are only two types of road races --- those with certified distances and those that are short. To get certified, a course has to be measured by specific rules by someone who is certified to do it...and a GPS doesn't cut it either. But it's a lot more accurate than guessing your mileage based on your assumed pace. People who do that almost always overestimate how fast they are running. Move along citizens, nothing here worth dwelling over.
Comments
I thought that DC Rainmaker had an interesting, valid retort to the article.
Have to agree w/ DCR it was pretty shoddy reporting for NYT.