It's For A Good Cause

One of the reasons we at Gopher State Events price our services where we do is because we realize that, almost without exception, the events we time are "for a good cause."  The stories behind some of the races we time are genuinely heart-wrenching.  Having said that, it is incredibly rewarding to work in an area where so much good is being dispersed to so many that are either "in need" or the beneficiary of much needed good will  and financing.

One of the things we wish we could do is time events like these for free.  Of course that is impossible because of the equipment, supplies, staffing, and other costs that are involved.  In fact the opposite is often the case:  we are asked for a pricing break due to the nature of the event and we just have to try to stand firm.  The only event of any significant size that we have ever timed "for free" is either one hosted by a member of our staff or a recent adoption fundraiser.

As an adoptive father I have always wanted to host an event to support the adoption process and the families and children involved.  I finally got my chance last weekend in St. Michael, MN for the LOVE 5k Run-Walk.  Katrina, Anna, Matt, and everyone did a beautiful job on the event and we were glad to help out at the event.  GSE team member Arne Bolstad also donated his time.

It definitely felt a little more like we were making a contribution by not taking a paycheck and I wish that could be the norm.  But unfortunately, as I said earlier, that is impossible.  Still, it is nice to know that we provide a service at a reasonable rate to support the folks who are called to serve others.

Let us know if we can help you put on an event for your cause.

To chip the start or not to chip the start?  

That is the question.  What is your answer?

This past week we received an email from a disgruntled participant who suggested that, for a race to be considered chip timed, it should include a chip start.  They equated "chip timing" with "chip start and chip finish."  During the same week we had an event director who was somewhat taken aback when we suggested that their moderately sized race did not need a chip start.

A chip start ensures that each participant will have two times for their effort:  a chip time (where their performance is determined by their chip finish time minus the time they crossed the starting line) and a gun time (where their chip time is the difference between their finish time and when the gun went off).

In a perfect world every race would have a chip time and a gun time, however a chip start involves more equipment (and thereby more expense).  Many event directors, especially for small to medium sized races, choose to forego the cost for reasons ranging from the expense to the fact that many fields are largely comprised of recreational runners who often don't even check their times and places to the fact that those highly competitive participants will position themselves near the front of the field at the start.

Of course large fields, or fields with limited start line width, should always have a chip start.  However it should be noted that most organizations who chart records and rankings do not consider a chip time, considering only gun times as official.

This past weekend we encountered the following at an event:

After the race two guys in their early fifties, who appeared to know each other pretty well and were very good natured, came to me appearing puzzled.  They said, “I beat him but when the awards were read I got second and he got first.  Is that a mistake?”  It turned out that it wasn’t a mistake.  Runner A beat Runner B by the narrowest of margins (a couple of tenths of a second) in a dramatic sprint to the finish, but Runner B started a few steps behind Runner A.  That difference was enough to give Runner B the age group win even though, for what was likely the majority of the run, they battled head-to-head and Runner A prevailed.  You could make a case for the differential in start time to be inconsequential in terms of the actual outcome of the race but in fact it determined the winner over and above what they did head-to-head.

In our system we allow the event director to determine whether they want results ordered by chip time or gun time, thereby allowing them to control the issuing of awards as they see fit,

What do you think?  What is "chip timing" by definition and should awards and records be determined by chip time or gun time?