If you are unfamiliar with or haven't run in a race that is timed using the ChampionChip timing system, we would like to tell you what to expect. Running is still done with your feet and you need to get to the finish line as fast as you can. That hasn't changed.

The difference is what can be done with your times. The Chip technology is basically quite simple. Each plastic chip contains a transponder that is activated when a runner cross a chip mat. The system uses a computer "chip" which must be tied to runners' shoe laces, and records the exact time each runner crosses the starting line as well as the finish line, resulting in a net or "chip" time for each runner.

If you are like me, when I run a race I start my watch when I cross the starting line. That is my elapsed time and it tells me how fast I ran. The official time is somewhat interesting but not as relevant to me--someone who will never win a race or even my age group. That is exactly what the Chip technology allows us to do for everyone--determine how long it took for each individual to run their race. Makes sense.

The next logical step after obtaining "chip" times is in scoring the race. Capital Running Company believes that awards for the overall winners should be based on "clock" time and all age group awards on "chip" or net time. By scoring age group winners using "chip" times, it makes it more fair for each competitor.

Imagine that two women are in the same age group and possess equal ability. One positions herself behind the starting line generally where her pace dictates. The other woman elbows her way near the front and positions herself ahead of her ability. Using traditional scoring methods, the second runner would win the race, all other factors being equal. The Chip levels the playing field no matter where either lined up to start, permitting true competition based upon ability, training, etc.

Why score the overall winners using "clock time" and not "chip" time? Imagine a situation where you saw the winner break the tape, and we told you that what you saw was wrong. That just might happen if we scored the overall winners using "chip" time. The overall winners, no matter how many, are the same ones you saw finishing and in the same order.

Another possible use of the Chip technology is the ability to determine split times. This has been done at the Boston Marathon with 5K split times relayed to the Internet during the race. We had an opportunity to provide a 5K split at the 2001 St. Patrick's Day 10K and hope to provide more splits at other races.

Why tie the chip to your shoe laces? Besides being an easy place to tie things, your foot happens to be fairly close to the ground. That is important when you are crossing a chip mat. The strength of the electro-magnetic field above the road is limited by whatever lies beneath. To ensure being recorded, just run as you normally do as you cross the mats. If you go around the mats or jump completely over them, as happened in a 5K recently, the timing system will miss you. If you run very fast at the finish line, be sure your foot with the Chip lands on the mats.

If a race doesn't have starting mats, then individual "clock" times, not individual "net" times will be produced.

At races we often hear runners say, "I don't need a chip, I'm not that fast," or even refuse to take a chip. Oh yes, you do need it! You are precisely the competitor for whom the chip was made. You may not be racing for an award, but you are racing for many other reasons. You deserve an accurate time no matter what your pace. The ChampionChip is the timing system to do that for everyone.

"Where are the chutes at the finish line?" The chip eliminates the need for a lot of the finish structure and many traditional volunteer jobs, including gender separators, chute packers, tag pullers, timers, and spindle runners. The only finish line job needed in a chip race is a medical spotter. We don't need to yell at you "Stay in order. Keep moving. Tear off your tags." The ChampionChip eliminated the need for all that. Now we are free to cheer your performance. At Capital Running Company races, we provide chairs to sit or prop your foot on while removing your rental chip.

The ChampionChip technology has permitted some advances in race timing while allowing running to remain simple and pure. Just run naturally. Running is still done with your feet and you need to get to the finish line as fast as you can. Now it isn't that important when you get to the start.