Road race timing innovations…

I recently finished my fifth Baltimore half-marathon and was pleased with the way I ran the hilly and tough course. This year was special as the race was celebrating its tenth anniversary. I was impressed this year by the new timing chips as it required no effort on my part. The timing chip help keep track of your finishing time as well as your mid-race split times. Over the history of the Baltimore marathon, they have used three types of timing chips. The traditional chip is a hard plastic disc that you fasten to your shoe using a plastic tie. At the end of the race a volunteer with wire cutters has to remove it from your shoes. This is a labor intensive operation when you have thousands of people crossing the finish line. Last year, the race used a different approach which was a loop of plastic which you fasten to your shoes laces. At the end of the race you pull it apart and put it in the trash. For both of these chips you have to remember to attach it to your shoes before the race. This year they used a really neat approach. The timing chip was attached to your race bib number. The only effort required was to fasten your bib number before the race and you are ready to go. What will they think of next…