Road
Race Services
Brief History
Start To Finish was incorporated in 1979 by partners Dwight Blomquist and
Constantine Chiger. The founding idea was to provide first-class race-timing
services with a minimum of customer stress. We started immediately with the
best equipment possible and today—over 1300 races later—we still
use the best.
Winning Time Chip System
In August of 2001, we upgraded from our
tired-but-true barcode-tag technology to the Winning Time® chip system. It
was and still is one of the most advanced and reliable race timing products in
the business. Each race participant wears a small computer chip on a
comfortable velcro ankle
strap. When a racer crosses the finish line, our timing mats
‘pulse’ an electromagnetic field, simultaneously charging and
extracting data from the chip. It is similar to the EZ-PASS system used
on US highways. We continue to offer the Winning Time product to our
customers. For more information about the Winning Time Chip System, click here.
***Our Featured Product: MYLAPS
BibTag System***
In our pursuit to stay at the cutting edge of
racing timing technology, Start to Finish Corp. acquired the MYLAPS® BibTag disposable chip system in January, 2011. MYLAPS uses
customized disposable computer chips that are affixed to the running number of
each race participant. MYLAPS all-weather detection maps track the path of each
custom race chip as it comes within range. The detection mats can be placed
anywhere on the race course—not just the finish line—for accurate
wave-starts and split-timing. Not only is The MYLAPS BibTag
system the most state-of-the-art race timing product available today, its made
with the same quality, experience, and reliability of existing MYLAPS race
scoring products. The low cost-per-participant and zero post race
hassle-and-handling make the MYLAPS BibTag system an
excellent race timing solution and our featured product at Start to Finish
Corp.
FAQ’s: MYLAPS BibTag
system
Question 1: How accurate and reliable is
the MYLAPS BibTag System?
Answer: The MYLAPS system has a field-tested accuracy ±0.50
seconds. Chip detection occurs for approx. 99.5% of finishers. The UHF pulse
density is approx. 700 passings/min.
on our 4 meter (13.1 ft) mat layout.
Question 2: How does the BibTag
System determine a (split) time?
Answer: When a racer wearing a custom BibTag
comes in range of our detection mats (approx. 7 feet), the racer’s BibTag begins to continuously signal its unique ID. The
antennas in the detection mat receive the unique ID signal and transfer them to
the Decoder. The Decoder determines the finish time of the BibTag
by calculating multiple received signals. (The Decoder may receive up to 30
unique signals for each race participant!) Because the electromagnetic field
produced by the antennas in the detection mat ‘peaks’ exactly above
the middle of the two rows of detection mats, the Decoder algorithms determine
the racer’s exact finish above the middle of the mats. This split time is
thus the calculated official time.
Question 3: Are there any radio-interference risks?
Answer: We don’t expect electronic interference with our
MYLAPS system because it uses a reserved Ultra High Frequency band (UHF) of
radio-emission that is completely safe and reliable.
Question 4: How does the system work in wet/humid weather?
Answer: Unlike
other disposable chip timing systems, MYLAPS chips are insulated with an
all-weather Styrofoam layer—so rain and mist do not affect the quality of
chip signal detection. The detection mats have been field-tested to work
reliably until fully submerged in water.
Question: Are there any health concerns involved
with the MYLAPS system? Can the BibTag affect
pacemakers?
Answer: The operating frequency of the MYLAPS system is at a
completely harmless wavelength and will not affect pacemakers whatsoever. All
MYLAPS electrical components are CE and FCC approved.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
1. A Civilized Approach meeting
your needs with race participants’ needs as the guide
2. Pre-Race Consultation and Services
a. Race placement on our
highly-trafficked website calendar @ start2finish.com
b. Race course measurement and
c. Race application setup and
design
d. Computer input of race
applications
e. Online registration @
start2finish.com
f. Race chip packaging
3. Day-of-Race Services
a. Oversight of day-of-race
registration
b. Computer input of
day-of-race applicants
c. Complete
finish line set up including:
- Giant race scaffolding
for overhead banners, finish chutes, giant digital clocks for the
finish line
- Giant digital course
clocks (total of 3 available)
- Portable speaker
system for announcements, music, and entertainment
d.
Race course management
- Lead guide car, split
timer set-up and drop-off, police consultation
e. Race
results
- Complete
computerization of lighting-fast, real-time finish results utilizing
Winning Time® chip system or MYLAPS® disposable chip
system
- Laser printing for
race results/awards in a variety of ways (ABC, age group, male &
female, special categories, and team)
3. Post-Race Services
- Race results broadcast
to race media services, as well as on-line @ start2finish.com
- Post race letters with
individual results and overall times.
- Available up to date
runner mailing lists
- Post-race assessment and
consultation to maintain customer service and approval
For
more inquiries about our services and fees,
Please give us a call at:
(516) 431-6174
Or Email us at
info@start2finish.com
