Significant Facts about Chip Timing Initially, chip timing was fun because it allowed people to know their actual time from the time they crossed the starting line to the time they reached the finish line. Most runners already know this by wearing a wrist watch, but this gives them validation. It allowed us to set personal records that reflected the time as if we had started the race on the front row. Or as if we had planned our time better in getting to the starting line (and hadn't gotten caught by the sound of the gun while we were in the Porta Johns). It also has allowed marathons to have an "early start" for those who expect to take a longer time. This does, however, create some conflict for the faster runners as they are then required to dodge through those "early start" participants somewhere out on the course. Chip timing allows most people to feel just a little better about their effort. But; After chip timing had been available for a short time, it was realized that when this was used for awards, there were major conflicts. In theory, a person who started in the back of the pack, where there was less traffic, could move up through the pack easier and close on a person towards the front without the front person being aware. This allowed the person in the back to have a faster time without ever passing the person who started in the front. Thus winning an age group without actually being the first across the line. This actually happened to Andriette Wickstrom, a local Iowa runner, in a race up in Minneapolis. Further analysis of this process helps one realize that chip timing is not racing. It is "time trialing". By this I mean, the first person across the line may not be the winner. The person running in front is not "racing" the person in the back because they are not even aware of them being a contender. USA T&F recognized this fact, and passed a ruling that chip timing was not to be the first consideration in "races". Chip timing could, however, be used for age group records. If we want to have "time trials", then that is what they should be called. Not "races". Chip timing as well as the more fequently used computer or hand timing methods can all be equally as accurate when scoring a road race. All are dependent on the operator and the care and precision of the volunteers working in the finish area. USA T&F keeps a list of recognised timing companies in their data base available at www.usatf.org. Steve Bobenhouse USA Track & Field Cross Country Chairman for the State of Iowa

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