| If you help organize a running or biking race, you've | | | | used again and again.o The ankle-bracelet style of |
| probably considered how to make your timing | | | | chip works well in events where footwear needs to |
| methods more efficient. At small races, timing can be | | | | be changed.o Timing is accurate. |
| done by people with stopwatches standing at the | | | | CONSo Racers must have the device scanned at the |
| finish line. But for bigger races, there are too many | | | | beginning of the race.o Racers must return it at the |
| finishers too close together, making it impossible to | | | | end of the race.o Lost chips incur a fee. |
| record both a time and to identify each individual. | | | | D-TAG |
| Electronic timers are essential for large races and the | | | | D-tag is a newer technology that is comprised of a |
| devices provide accurate timing and address | | | | light-weight disposable timing tag that comes |
| weaknesses found in traditional timing. | | | | attached to your race number. You then peel the |
| Benefits of an electronic timing system:o Finishing | | | | D-tag off your race number and loop it around your |
| times can be available almost instantlyo No mistakes | | | | shoelaces, where it is held in place by adhesive. As |
| due to confusing, multiple-chute finishing areaso No | | | | you pass over strategically placed mats, your times |
| mistakes due to runners wearing the wrong numbero | | | | are recorded. |
| No mistakes due to "bandits" (runners who did not | | | | PROSo It's convenient; the tag is thrown out when |
| register)o No mistakes due to runners who get out | | | | the race is completed.o Athletes don't need to scan |
| of order in the chuteso The finish area will be less | | | | the tag at the beginning of the race - it's already set |
| crowded | | | | up for the user of that bib/race number. Therefore, |
| There are two popular methods for electronic timing: | | | | race volunteers can distribute race bibs more |
| chips and the D-tag. These can be used by bicyclists, | | | | quickly.o Racers don't have to sit down and untie |
| runners, tri-athletes, and even skiers. | | | | their shoes after a race to remove the chip.o Timing |
| CHIP | | | | is accurate. |
| A small, lightweight chip is worn by the athlete on | | | | CONSo Since the tag is attached by tying it through |
| their shoelace or as an ankle bracelet. The chip | | | | shoelaces, it is not good for events where a change |
| identifies each runner as they pass over a mat placed | | | | of footwear is needed.o The tags aren't reusable, so |
| at the finish line of the race. More advanced chip | | | | they aren't environmentally friendly. |
| timing systems will have strategically placed mats | | | | Both timing systems are very accurate and work |
| throughout the race. These systems can also | | | | extremely well - especially when comparing to manual |
| prevent against cheating, compensate for slow start | | | | timing. Depending upon your race and what is |
| times due to crowded starting lines, and record split | | | | important to you and your athletes, you may want |
| times correctly. | | | | to consider using a chip or the D-tag. |
| PROSo There are no batteries, the devices can be | | | | |