In the HM yesterday, the timing chips were attached to the bib. They weren't what I've come to know at D-tags, the little strips of what look like plastic, stuck to the bib. These were a bit thicker, maybe 1/4", and rigid, also stuck to the bib. I've seen them before, but this was the first race where they were collected at the end. The really dumb thing was, they were stuck to a tear-off tag on the bib. My immediate reaction, upon seeing that, was "well that's dumb, they'll get torn off." We saw at least three of them on the ground along the course.
Is there some reason for collecting these? At the risk of having them come disconnected and lost? I'd be pretty peeved if I realized at the end of the race that I'd lost my chip.
Smaller By The Day
It sounds like they're trying to recycle, but if that's the case, then putting them on the bib is a bad idea.
2012 Races
Blueberry Stomp 5K (9/12) - 31:02
Feel The Learn 5K (10/12) - 26:58
Indianapolis Monumental HM (11/12) - 2:03:56
Run For The Heart 5K (12/12) - 25:48:48
2013 Races
Valpo Valentine's Day 5K (2/13) - 24:45:08
Chi Town HM (3/24/13) - 01:54:07.2
Dart For The Arts 10K (4/13/13) - 48:59
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (11/02/13) -
That is very odd. I've never seen a chip attached to the bib collected. Was this an actual chip timed race? Maybe they ordered the chipped bibs accidentally but it was really a tear off timed race?
Short term goal: 2:59:59 (November, 2013)
Mid term goal: Any race over 80% of top AG standard
Long term goal: To say I've been a runner half my life. (I started running at age 45).
Anomalous
I forgot what those types of chips are called, but the HM I ran in Charleston on yesterday used that same type of timing chip and another race I ran last spring used that version also. They aren't that common, I suppose. I made sure to use the safety pin given to keep the chip attached to my bib just in case it got fell off while running.
Half Fanatic #3091 ~ Marathon debut: 11/16/13 Anthem Richmond Marathon
"Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious." - Rumi
Same race. I pinned mine folded up, so the chip couldn't flap. I felt bad for the several people who lost theirs on the course.
No, it was definitely chip timed. There were volunteers standing next to the people handing out medals. They just tore off your chip and dumped it in a bucket.
Labrat
Years and years ago I did run a race with a reusable chip that went into a pocket at the back of the bib#.
After crossing the line, you were expected to fish it out and drop it into big collection buckets.
Reusable shoes tags, I am used to. No so much on the tear off strip.
5K 23:21* (Vdot 41.53) 10/13/12
10K 51:48 (Vdot 38.39) 7/15/12
HM 1:48:20 (Vdot 41.07) 11/10//12
FM 4:28:33 (Vdot 33.01) 11/12/11
*Gun time, all others are chip time
I ran a 10k a while back where they had us tear the chip off the bib and attach it to our shoes. I was worried about it separating and was going to pin it separately anyway. Seemed more secure on the shoe.
They also asked for folks to voluntarily return the chips.
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