How to time a running race or trail, step by step

Timing a race means turning crossings of a line into fair results, published fast. Chips do that work with no data entry errors, as long as a few steps are prepared in the right order. Here is the process, from opening registration to the day after the race.

Step 1, open registration

Everything starts with the runner list. Each entry carries the name, date of birth, sex, distance and, for a race on the French athletics federation (FFA) calendar, the license or PPS number. The date of birth is used to compute age groups, the distance to split the results. When registration and timing run on the same tool, that list is ready on race day with no file import. The checks the federation requires are covered in the article FFA license and PPS.

Step 2, assign bibs and chips

Each runner gets a bib number. In running races, the chip sits on the back of the bib and its ID is linked to that number, and so to the runner. The bib is worn on the front, clearly visible, over the jacket if it rains. The runner keeps the chip after the finish, there is nothing to collect.

Step 3, lay the antenna

The antenna is laid on the ground across the finish line and connected to the decoder. If the start and finish share the same line, one antenna measures both. If the start is elsewhere, a second system goes on the start line. Setup takes a few minutes. A pass with a few bibs before the corral opens checks that everything reads.

Step 4, start the race

At the signal, the race clock starts. Each runner then has two times. Gun time runs from the start signal to their finish. Chip time runs from their own crossing of the start line to their finish, which matters for a runner starting at the back of the corral. FFA running rules rank runners on gun time.

On a trail, a checkpoint covered by a second system confirms nobody cut the course and shows who has not yet reached the aid station. Without coverage in the mountains, the system stores crossings locally and sends them as soon as it gets a connection back.

Step 5, the finish

Every crossing of the finish antenna is timestamped and sent to the results. Runners see their time on their phone as soon as they cross the line, and the leaderboard can be shown on a big screen at the race village. Age groups and team rankings are computed automatically.

Step 6, after the race

Results stay online and can be found by the race name. They export as a spreadsheet with full dates of birth. For a race on the FFA calendar, the federation asks for results as a spreadsheet, preferably in the e-Logica format, and never as a PDF. The equipment ships back on Monday.

The technical principle is explained on the page how chip timing works, and the budget in the article how much chip timing costs.