Timing

Race Timing

Ways to Successfully Time a Race

Accurate timing is essential for a successful execution and  the integrity of a race.  Athletes have put in their time and sponsors have put in their money.  It is now time to put it all together.  To put in simply, if there isn’t accurate times times, there isn’t a race.

1. Registration
   It all starts with online registration.  Getting all the information you need when a racer signs up is crucial for a smooth race.
   Name, age, division, class, previous race times, etc. Make sure your registration sheet has whatever data you need to organize your racers for race day and for results.Especially for larger events, we strongly recommend closing registration at least 1 day ahead of time. This give you ample time to get your start list ready.Day of changes can really throw a wrench in things. Be sure to make plenty of announcements to let racers know what date and time online registration will be closing.  Be prepared for a few day of registrants, but put them at the back of the pack and charge them extra money.
2. How to time a race
   For the most accurate results, we recommend using a reliable digital timing system that can time down to 100th of a second.  There are three types of technologies that can do this – RFID technology, lasers, and photo timing.  These systems also help remove the human error factor out of the times.
   
   When choosing your timing system, there are several questions to consider. Is it waterproof? Can it handle cold water? Does it have to communicate with the start? Does it only record a time when a racer passes or when anyone passes? Does it have to have cell service? Does it have to have power? What kind of finish line/timing gate do you need to have?  RFID technology work great for interval starts, laser timing works great when there is one race on course at a time, and photo timing works great for mass starts. The banks of a whitewater river is a rugged environment for timing systems and guaranteed to put whatever you chose to the test.Digital timing systems will give you the most accurate results, but they definitely cost a good bit to both rent or buy.  When a good digital timing system is out of the question another option is a race timing app for a tablet or phone.  When using these be sure to practice prior to the race and ensure you can use the app when you have no internet or cell service.  Be very careful with this as your timing option – if you device overheats or runs out of battery you are stuck with no timing system.
3. Back up timing
   Even if you are using the most sophisticated timing system out there,  back up timing is a must. If even just one chip doesn’t read or gets lost, you don’t have any times for that person and that could be your winning time. Back up timing requires more volunteers, but it is a necessity for the integrity of your race.  Make sure the start and finish both have synced watches that will not die during the race.
   Options for backup timing
   Paper/watch timing
   Paper backup timing is probably the best back up timing when it comes to processing results. It is easy to locate start and finish times and review any questionable digital results. This is the method we prefer to backup a reliable digital timing system.  The downfall is it only goes down to the second.Finish Camera
   Setting up a camera at the finish line is always an option and is great when you are trying to review times within a second of each other or a mass start race.  This also a must when you are doing head to head races. We recommend setting the camera to 120 fps to ensure you can break any ties in a head to head race. The downfall of a finish camera is you have to sort through possibly hours of footage to get back up times if you are doing an interval start race.Digital timing Ap
   If you are using a reliable digital timing system, such as an RFID system, a digital timing app is an option or an extra phone with the RFID timing software on it.  The downfall with an additional digital timing system is they are pretty susceptible to weather (rain, heat, cold). In colder weather, the device might not respond to your touch, or on a hot day, they device might overheat and shutdown leaving you with no backup time.
4. Once you have your timing system chosen, there are few things that can help time a race.
   • Test the system
   •No matter what system you are using, make sure you test it before race day.  If you can test in onsite even better.  Don’t wait until race day to work through the technical difficulties.
   •Communicate with your timing crew: Make sure all your timing personnel know what their roll is and know how to use the technology prior to heading to the river. Make sure both the top and bottom are on synced watches (that wont run out of batter during the race).
   •Make sure your start list is easy to follow and racers know when they are suppose to start.
   •If you are doing an interval start race, having racers start in bib order is really helps in recording accurate time and reviews results after the race.
   •Make sure bibs/number plate are easily readable form the start and finish.
   
5. Timing Crew
   •Start timers: 2 timers. One start timer for gathering who are on deck, in the hole, and standing by.  As well this person is making sure the right racer is at the start gate.  The other timer starting racers and recording start times.
   
   •Finish Timers: 2 back up timers and 1 digital timer.  The first back up timer is in charge of shouting out and confirming what bib number is crossing the finish line.  The second back up timer is recording back up times.  The digital timer is making sure times were recorded and the system is working accurately.