Timing Services
SFTC Race Timing Services
Race Management Guide (PDF) | Timing Services Application (PDF)
SFTC is available for hire to help you time your race. We offer three timing systems, which are described below.
The initial contact for timing requests and questions should be the district representative for your area in which the race is held.
All timing requests must be presented to the SFTC Board at a board meeting, which are held monthly. Check the event calendar for meeting dates. The Timing Services application form must be completed by the race organizers and submitted either before or at the board meeting which the hire request is made to the district coodrinator or race management coordinator.
Once a request is approved, a SFTC liaison will be assigned to be the main point of contact for the race.
Race organizers are responsible for arranging their own insurance coverage.
SFTC Finish Line Systems
Three different finish line services are available from SFTC which are detailed below. We also have equipment available to rent.
Card System
The Card System is the simplest of the three services. Two timers are used, one as the primary, the other as a back up. Either the Seiko timers or TimeTech timers are typically used. As each runner crosses the finish line their finish time is recorded by the timers. The runner proceeds into the finish line chute and is kept in finish line place order by the finish line crew. At the end of the finish chute, the runner is handed a numbered card which indicates the runner's finish place. The runner then fills out the card (first and last names, age and sex) and puts the card in a basket marked with the runner's age group that corresponds to the race awards' categories.
The results tabulation crew then sorts the cards within each age group basket into finish place order. The cards for the overall winners, masters, grandmasters and senior grandmasters awards, as previously determined by the race organizer, are removed from the baskets. These cards are used for tabulation of these initial awards on paper sheets. The remaining cards in the baskets are then used for age group awards tabulation. Finish times from the timer printouts can either be included at this point although, so that the awards ceremony is not delayed unnecessarily, it is more common for them to be added afterwards as part of the full results tabulation.
After the race has finished, SFTC types up the complete results and sends them to the SFTC webmaster for publication on the SFTC website. Copies are also e-mailed to the race organizer and to local media.
Recommended for races up to 175 participants. Includes 2 timers, small finish line display clock, race bibs, safety pins, finish cards, chute, age-group baskets, plus staff to operate the finish line and tabulate results.
Cost: $175.00 for the first 75 participants. $1.50 for each additional participant over 75.
Computer System
The Computer System uses computer scoring software. There are several different scoring software packages available on the market. SFTC uses Runscore. Each runner is assigned a race number, also known as a bib number. The assigned bib number along with the runner's personal information (obtained from the race entry form) is entered into Runscore prior to the race start. Each runner is provided with a bib that has the bib number printed on it. The bib has a tear-off tag along the bottom. The tag also has the bib number printed on it. The tear-off tag should not be removed. The runner then pins the bib to the front of their race clothing.
Two timers are used, one as the primary, the other as a back up. As each runner crosses the finish line their finish time is recorded by the timers. The runner proceeds into the finish line chute and is kept in finish line place order by the finish line crew. Towards the end of the chute finish line workers pull of the tear-off tag from the bottom of the runner's bib and hands it to the tag collector who threads it onto a spindle to keep the tags in finish place order.
The bib numbers on the tags are entered in finish place order into Runscore. The recorded times are uploaded from the timer into Runscore. The results are then automatically tabulated by Runscore and are printed out ready for the awards ceremony.
The results are sent to the SFTC webmaster for publication on the SFTC website. Copies are also e-mailed to the race organizer and to local media.
Recommended for races > 175. Includes 2 timers, small finish line display clock, race bibs, safety pins, laptop computer, printer, data entry, chute, plus staff to operate the finish line and tabulate results. Requires an enclosed or covered area with power supply for the laptop and printer.
Cost: $275 for the first 200 participants. $1.50 for each additional participant over 200.
Chip Timing System
The Chip Timing System uses electronic tags that the runner wears during the race. Each tag contains an electronic chip that is encoded with a unique tag number. Special timing mats are placed at the finish line of the race. The timing mats contain sensors which detect the tag number when the runner crosses the finish line.
SFTC owns a system made by Chronotrack, the leading chip timing system in the US. SFTC uses B-tags. The B-tag number is also the same as the race number, also known as a bib number (the number printed on the front of the bib).
Each runner is assigned a bib number. The assigned bib number along with the runner's personal information (obtained from the race entry form) is entered into the computer scoring software, (Runscore), prior to the race start. Each runner is provided with a bib that has the bib number printed on the front and the electronic tag attached to the back. The runner then pins the bib to the front of their race clothing.
As each runner crosses the finish line mats their finish time and place are recorded by the timing controller. The data are uploaded into Runscore. The race results are automatically tabulated by Runscore and are printed out ready for the awards ceremony.
The results are sent to the SFTC webmaster for publication on the SFTC website. Copies are also e-mailed to the race organizer and to local media.
Recommended for races > 175. Includes chip timing system, small finish line display clock, race bibs and chip B-tags, safety pins, data entry, laptop computer, printer, finish chute, plus staff to operate the finish line and tabulate results. Requires an enclosed or covered area with power supply for the laptop and printer.
Cost: $500 for the first 200 registered. Each additional registration is $3.00. Discounts available if the race provides bibs or data entry.
All Timing Services
50% discount is given for races affiliated with schools. This discount does not apply to chip timing unless there are more than 300 participants.
Results will be posted on the SFTC website.
Only the equipment listed in the description is included in the service. Any additional equipment must be rented.