Timing

Timing Stations

Equipment:

  • Blue timing mat (the line to cross)

  • Rain/Sun shelter (Easy up, 12x12 tent, or other)

  • Small outdoor table and chair (you may have to provide)

  • Large screen tablet or notebook computer with sufficient battery to last the time required

  • Mobile data hot spot (Spark/Skinny generally required in remote areas)

  • Paper, pen, and clock as backup should the computer fail

A week in advance, check with the stage leader and the timing coordinator to ensure they that they have the equipment you need. If it looks like it might rain you may need to arrange for the shelter to be setup in advance of arrival time

Report to the stage leader at the same time as other marshals on stage, so you get to know each other and can assist with setup. Keep an eye on the time, and make sure you are ready in plenty of time for the first competitor


Timing Duty Times

Timing Software

Refer to email received from timing coordinator, use a large screen tablet or laptop with sufficient battery to last full the race period, and connect via a mobile hot spot

Check that it works on mobile data before the day of the event. Spark/.Skinny is required in some locations

Please do not enter test data or clear data on Sunday. Test and clear before Sunday

If you make any mistakes with timing or race numbers, just write down and/or email the details to the timing coordinator, and they can fix the data at the end of the race. This is more accurate than multiple entries in the timing program

Please don't let people interrupt you, you cannot give them their time etc. or directions to the loo. Let other people handle this otherwise you may miss timing someone. People are less upset that you cannot help them, then they are when they don't have timing data!


Ideas

Get a caller 10+ meters closer to arriving competitors or call out for them to "show me your number", don't trust competitors to remember number, you must see the bib

Type in number ahead of line, press enter when they cross the blue carpet line

Take note of any issues, mistakes, or duplicate entries, and then please email or txt them to the timing coordinator when time allows

Timing requires careful accuracy, practice how you will do it, and take you time entering accurate numbers

Some runners want to cross the cones into the cycle chute, this is dangerous and make it impossible to time. Make sure all marshals are actively whistling/shooting/waving at competitors to stop this from happening