Posted: October 11, 2007

Multisport: ChampionChip Sets New PR

Timing-industry leader will be used at more than 6,000 events in 2007 October 11, 2007—ChampionChip®, the world leader in timing technology, announced that in 2007 ChampionChip will be used to time more than 6,000 events worldwide through its network of 178 professional timers who service 58 countries—more events than all other timing technologies combined on the market. Introduced 13 years ago at the Berlin Marathon, ChampionChip revolutionized the way races recorded results. Providing the most accurate results in real-time, ChampionChip continues to recreate the standard for timing technology. Its reliability, accuracy, advanced communications capability and time-tested track record have made it the number one choice of the world's best timers. "Every major timing company in the world is using ChampionChip technology," says Marc Roy of SportStats, the official timer of the IronMan events. From the prestige of the Boston Marathon all the way to the smallest of events, the ChampionChip system's lightweight mats and controller boxes, as well as its reputation, make it an ideal system to use for any type of event in any type of weather. The company continues to leverage its technology and create advancements that will further enhance the participant experience. Last year, more than 300,000 athletes participated in races featuring one such advancement—the "Single-Use Chip," which can be customized with a race logo. The single-use chip provides race participants a souvenir of their hard work and eases the workload for race staff by eliminating the need to retrieve the chips after the race. Additionally, races that utilize the single-use chip can also use a "results wand" at the finish to provide racers with an instant finish line result printed out and easily affixed to his or her bib. The ING Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco is offering runners five different commemorative chips starting with 2007 that will lead up to the 100th anniversary of the race. More than six million participants will be timed with the ChampionChip system this year, making it the most used timing system in the world. "ChampionChip has proven through tens of thousands of events, for 13 years, that it works. Runners and race directors can and should expect dependable results and continued technological advances to enhance their experiences," says Mike Burns, President of ChampionChip USA. About ChampionChip and how it works ChampionChip was founded in November 1993 in The Netherlands. Its automatic timing system was introduced in September 1994 at the Berlin Marathon. Over the past 13 years, ChampionChip has consistently been the number one choice of the world's best timers. Utilizing the radio frequency identification system from Texas Instruments, which is the same technology used in security locks in cars or admission control in buildings, the ChampionChip system comprises chips, mats and controller boxes that together collect the data that racers then see as results. Within each chip is a mini transponder and energizing coil housed in specially designed plastic casing that protects it in all weather conditions. Mats placed in strategic locations have send and receive antennas in them and are connected to a yellow controller box at the side of the course, which contains electronics and batteries. Each chip contains a unique identification number so every time an athlete steps on the mat, the energizing coil, stimulated by the magnetic field created by the send antenna in the mat, produces an electric current that powers the chip. The transponder transmits the unique ID number to the receive antenna. The number and corresponding time are stored in the yellow box and transferred to a timing computer. The whole process takes approximately 60 milliseconds. For more information, visit www.championchip.com. ChampionChip is the world leader in running event timing technology. Since 1997, ChampionChip USA has been providing this technology to the US market. Today, through a network of more than 70 professional timers in the U.S.A., ChampionChip equipment scores more than 3,500 events annually in the United States. For more information, see: http://www.championchipusa.com . Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest