Runners - race timing question (also posted in F&E)
3dogsrunning
Posts: 27,167 Member
For those who do the smaller races, how is timing done, aside from hiring a chip timing service?
Does your local club have their own timing system (if you know, what type) or what other alternatives do they use?
Chip timing service here is pretty cost prohibitive and our races are getting larger. We are struggling to find a system that is efficient, managable and user friendly. Our club is looking at buying a chip timing system, but don't really know how user friendly its going to be either.
Does your local club have their own timing system (if you know, what type) or what other alternatives do they use?
Chip timing service here is pretty cost prohibitive and our races are getting larger. We are struggling to find a system that is efficient, managable and user friendly. Our club is looking at buying a chip timing system, but don't really know how user friendly its going to be either.
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I don't know where you're from but in the Uk we have parkruns. Now from what I gather, its chip timed , however I use that term loosely. These are free 5k runs during the weekend in local parks, you have to register and get your individual barcode which you print. When you turn up to run, you have to bring your barcode with you. No barcode, no time.
As you approach the end, you are handed a chip which is nearest to the time you would have completed and its scanned alongside your barcode. Its usually about 15-20 seconds out depending on how far you were from the start line.
hope ive explained it properly- http://www.parkrun.org.uk
For my club, we don't tend to hire out any chip devices unless its a 10k or over as its not cost effective0 -
Thanks!
I'm not in UK but I'll check it out.0 -
I've seen two things. in MD, there is a few 3rd party timing companies. Usually a guy doing it for a hobby to get a little beer money. He has the equipment and the know how. I was also at a 5K where the organization had a small hand held device that did everything at the site, then it was downloaded later for the official posting; however I don't know the cost of that hand held unit. Though I suspect you can find them used somewhere. You definitely have options.0
