Chapter Eleven
FINISH LINE TIMING INSTRUCTIONS

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Chronomix (timing machine) timers should time all runners, walkers, and at least the first person in a group (e.g. a military unit running in formation).

Select timers (and the hand-held computer timers in the Bolder Boulder) are timing randomly and should time only two to three finishers per minute.

All timers should not time an animal (e.g. seeing eye dog) nor a child in a backpack.

If the timing button or stopwatch malfunctions, get the attention of the timing supervisor as quickly as possible. The supervisor will request that your chute be closed until the problem is resolved.

If a timing system (computer, timing machine or select) malfunctions in your chute, the other timer should continue to time until otherwise instructed or until the chute is closed.

Select timing technique

  • Select a runner as he or she approaches your chute
  • Write down the bib number
  • Stop your watch when the runner crosses the line
  • Write down the "stopped" time next to the runner. s bib number
  • If you are unsure about anything you have written (or the runner changes chutes at the last moment), scratch out the bib number (and time) and start over with a new finisher

Tips for Select Timers

  • Accuracy is the key to good timing
  • Bib numbers and times must be correct to be useful in scoring
  • Time only as many finishers as you can accurately
  • When your chute first opens, time the first person across the line
  • When your chute closes (even temporarily), time the last person across the line
  • If a group of runners (e.g. military unit) finishes in your chute, time the first and last person
  • If there is a significant gap between runners, be sure to time the first finisher after the gap.
  • When the chutes are "flooded" (i.e. all are open simultaneously in a toll gate system), time no more than two finishers per minute--unless the computer or timing machine system malfunctions. If that happens, time as many finishers as you can accurately.