FAQ

Chip timing offers more benefits than manually timing your race. With chip timing, you are able to get immediate and accurate results for your athletes.  Before your race, all your competitor’s information is imported into a database and their bib number is paired to a ProChip Timer (timing chip) assigned to your participant.  Once the race takes off, the system calculates the time between the start and to when they cross the finish line; which gives each participant their race time. Closing registration early helps greatly with the database preparation.

Using the system also has great benefits:

• ACCURACY: Time is recorded automatically when each chip crosses the sensor.
• QUICK RESULTS: Race reports are generated quickly with accurate results.
• REDUCES RISK: With less human intervention, errors are less; ad the data is not manipulated.
• LESS WORK: No need to manually collect and correlate finish times and bib numbers for each finisher.

The system is comprised of 4 components, the Transponder
(chip), the Antenna/Sensor, the Reader and the Software.

Before the race, chips are assigned or paired with a participant’s name and bib/race number along with other race information required by the race director for that particular event, these can be (category, age, gender, team, etc.). This information is used to create the athlete’s file used by the software. Each participant is then given their assigned chip with instructions on where to place them. All participants are responsible to have their assigned chip securely in place before being at the starting line.

The chip sends no signals until it is placed within the magnetic field created by the sensors, but once within the field, it’s powered up and then sends a signal with its unique identification number which is received by the sensor and recorded by the reader. The reader saves all signals in the order they were received when each chip was detected by the sensor. Each time is then recorded on the Reader/Decoder which is transferred into the Timing Software to produce immediate, accurate and non-manipulative race results.

Chip timing, also known as net time, is a method used to measure the actual time it takes a participant to complete a race from start to finish. In races that utilize this technology, participants are provided with a computer chip attached to their running shoe. This chip is programmed with their information and is received along with their race bib during registration. The chip is securely fastened to the ankle using a Velcro strap. As the participant crosses the starting line, the chip registers the start time, and as they cross the finish line, it records the finish time. This chip time is distinct from the “gun time,” which is the time it takes to complete the race from the moment the race officially begins.

Chip technology is widely utilized in large races, providing numerous benefits for participants. With chip timing, runners can position themselves at the start based on their pace, eliminating the need to navigate through crowds. Additionally, for longer distances like marathons, the chip records splits at various points along the course, if available such as the half-marathon mark. This feature is advantageous for participants who want to see their splits during a race.

The MyLaps ProChip system can time over 10,000 athletes in a race.

Arrangements can be made for chips to be picked up or delivered to your location.

Competitors have the option to either handle the chip return themselves or seek assistance from finish line volunteers.  It is the responsibility of the race organizer to ensure that all chips are collected and returned to the timer.

Morning of or day of the event registration is highly discouraged. Preparation of pairing timing chips with bib numbers and athletes and setting up the timing system is done in advanced of the event. However, day of registrations can be accepted, this comes with a $20 administration fee.  To avoid this fee, please register before  registration closes.

Race results can be generated while competitors are still finishing with the use of our Live Results Update feature. A hard copy of the results can also be requested with top ranking for prize distribution. Additionally, results are posted on our website after the event.

Results are accurate to 0.003 seconds.  Our system records the participant’s race number and time as they cross the finish line, directly feeding them into the results system. This streamlined process ensures accurate and efficient result generation.

As timers, we often encounter challenges when athletes do not adhere to instructions or attend the race briefing. 

It is also imperative that that the race organizer distribute the correct assigned chip to the correct athlete whom the chip is assigned to.

We have encountered:

• Participant has someone else’s chip;
• Participant has no chip;
• Participant has more than one chip
• Participant did not finish or got disqualified, but their chip is still detected;
• Participant did not start but someone had their chip and that chip got recorded.

Race officials would need to verify if any of these happened and inform the timer to remove those who shouldn’t be from the results.