Saturday’s Courier-Journal had a short article about the “high-tech” scoring system that will be used in this year’s Meijer Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon on April 28th.
Radio-frequency chips are provided to all runners who in turn attach them to their shoelaces. New this year is that information from the chips is then fed back to a cell-phone (text messaging) or e-mail address on file. A feature carried over from last year is that anyone with internet access can also track the progress of each individual runner.
The only information provided in regards to the cost is that the service typically runs $1 to $2 per runner. It didn’t mention a minimum number of runners required. This year’s Meijer’s race already has over 9,000 entries, therefore, the overall cost will most likely fall somewhere in the $10K to $20K range.
Early last year I sent an e-mail to one of the local road racing clubs hoping to find out additional information on using this type of system for mountain bike racing, but never received a response.
Use of such a system would greatly simplify the efforts of our Race Directors (and provide more accurate scoring as well). It would also reduce the number of always-difficult-to-find race day volunteers.
Anyone aware of any mtb and/or road races using these systems?
High-Tech Scoring for MTB Races?
Sounds like a simple, efficient and trick type of scoring. Just went and researched it a bit....
Check this chip info out:
http://www.championchip.com/chips/
you can also buy a chip not
you can also buy a chip not just use it for a race per say. I think it should Definitly be done for racing. they have to be low to the ground like on a chain stay or something.
Czar, thanks for the
Czar, thanks for the link!
37 states, along w/the appropriate contacts (and the D.C. area) were listed under "timers" unfortunately KY wasn't one of them. Not sure if timers means people willing to time your event for a fee or not.
Knowing all of the inaccuracies and troubles in scorekeeping by hand it should just be a matter of time before this technology reaches our instate racing. I think it would be very beneficial in the longer (12 or 24 hr. events for example) were scorekeeper fatigue also plays a role.
The website link listed two or three overseas cycling events that used the system this month.