Timing Systems - How to time a cross country race

There are two types of cross-country timing systems: manual and video

Manual

Races up to 150-200 runners

Free

Needs volunteers

Volunteers taking times at the finish line.

2 timers (a primary and a backup) collect a sequence of times using a handheld timer or XCMeet's phone app. Another volunteer records the finishing order by collecting XCMeet's scannable clips or paper labels from the runners. XCMeet will automatically combine times and finishing order for you, so you won't need to manually put times together on a spreadsheet.

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To help volunteers record finishing order, a "finish chute", which acts as a funnel, gets the runners in a single-file line. Since the chute is narrow, large races will overwhelm it. Hence, manual timing is unsuitable for races with over 150-200 runners.

XCMeet (Recommended!)

XCMeet aligns times with finishing position as clips are scanned at the finish chute.
The Live Results page automatically displays the race results recorded by the phone app.
The Results Editor allows officials to offset times if necessary.
Volunteers can take splits by clicking on the runners' names as they pass by.
XCMeet sells custom reusable clips, so teams don't need to pay for new materials every meet.

Old-school

Popsicle stick: Each runner is handed a pre-numbered stick or card in order at the finish chute. Runners stick their identifying label onto their number, which shows the finishing position.
Bib strip-off: Runners tear off the bottom piece of their bibs at the finish, which are lined up on a spindle.
Officials manually input the times and positions to a spreadsheet. They then have to search every row for discrepancies between the primary and backup timers. Where they consistently disagree, officials input formulas to offset times.
To take splits, volunteers need to check their handheld timer, then write down the runners' names and times onto a clipboard. While doing all that, they are likely to miss runners out of a group passing by rapidly.

Video

Handles large races

Expensive

The video system set-up with a side camera and a front camera

Two mounted cameras, along with software, enable operators to step through video frames and collect times and finishing order.

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Large races have several batches of runners crossing the finish line together. For instance, in a high school 5K race with over 150-200 runners, it's common for them to finish in groups of eight or more, making it challenging for timers to record every time. In this case, the video system is necessary because operators can step through frames one-by-one to accurately record the finishing order. The equipment and skilled operators are expensive, generally costing over a thousand dollars per race. However, if hired, coaches leave all the set-up to the operators.

Video Cameras

At the finish line, the camera to the side of the runners provides a view of the runners' chests for the video operator to track finishing order. Another camera to the front captures the bib numbers so the operator can identify runners.

RFID Chips

When bib numbers are unreadable at large meets, RFID chips are also used as a second form of identification. That way, video operators don't need to rely on identifying athletes individually.

RFID chips, along with timing mats placed at the finish, are used as proximity sensors to identify runners.
To take splits, extra mats can be placed at mile markers, which automatically read the chips' signals.