Old vs. New: Role of the Timer. Matt Helbig

Transcription

1 Old vs. New: Role of the Timer Matt Helbig

2 Introduction Retailer - Big River Running Company Timing/Managing events since 2003 CEO/Founder of Big River Race Management St. Louis based. Chicago office ChronoTrack Timer/Athlinks Services Clients: Hospital Hill, GO! St. Louis, North Face ECS

3 Today s agenda: Role of your timer Questions every race director should ask their timer about technology Old school vs. New school solutions

4 Role of your timer?

5 Good Customer Service Returns phone calls or s same business day or within 24 hrs Asks lots of questions to get to know your event Polite and courteous to you, your staff and your volunteers Most important: Good Communication Frequent check-ins, communicates responsibilities and roles on lead-up and race day, give play-by-play

6 What type of timing system do you use?

7 What type of timing system do you use? Old School: Pull Tab Timing

8 What type of timing system do you use? New School: Chip timing Reusable tags IPICO Disposable tags ChronoTrack MyLAPS

9 What kind of results do you provide?

10 What kind of results can you provide? Old School: Uploaded to the web after the race, On-Site: paper results posted, Web: static html links online.

11 What kind of results can you provide: New School: Live results as finishers cross splits and the finish-line On-site results kiosks Scrolling results Customizable, interactive online results display Receipt printers

12 Results provided (cont.)

13

14 How do you ensure my results are accurate?

15 Accurate Results Old School: We don t need back-up system, our chips read 100%

16 Accurate Results New School: No chip system is 100% accurate when you add human error into the equation. Every runner deserves a time.

17 Accurate results Finish Line back-up systems: Time Machine Camera (sometimes w/multiple angles) with DVR Announcer line (secondary read) Photographer back-up

18 Accurate results On course: Cheaters and Race Jumpers Cheater Mats/Splits Did they hit all of the splits (flag on awards report) Does pacing look right? Move race jumpers into other events or DQ (RD s call)

19 Accurate results Results scrubbing Verify award winners via Athlinks Database (soon to be automated) Guaranteed Results

20 Can you provide media services for my event?

21 Can you provide media for my event? New School: Timers are now a great way to add media to your events at a fraction of the cost of going through a third party. Media options: Text and Social Media Athlete Updates Finisher video (pre-roll video) Participant photos (branded) Smartphone App

22 Media for my event? Smartphone App Athlinks Race Day Course and vendor maps Event schedule and details Announcements Athlete Tracking on a Map Start lists with wave assignments Results Branded photos and videos

23 What additional services can you provide?

24 Additional Services Race Day Console Monitor participant flow throughout the course at each timing point Flag unrealistic paces Monitor messaging status

25 Additional Services Data Services Athlinks Services Partner > 250 million results! Pre-race data scrubbing Participant data for enhanced marketing Auto corral assignment services Post race awards scrubbing

26 Additional Services Sponsorship Enhancement Results pages Finisher photos Finish Video Race Day App Impressions and Brand Awareness

27 Questions? Matt Helbig (cell)