Section 3 - Checklist for timing with fsTimer
One month before race day
- Get race bibs.
- If using a barcode scanner to enter bib IDs into fsTimer, get the barcode scanner and (if necessary) print barcode labels.
- Install fsTimer, read through the documentation, and spend time fiddling around in the software to familiarize yourself with it.
- Find people to help with day-of registration and for operating the finish line.
In the next section we will give some tips on what types of bibs we find to be best, and about using a barcode scanner with fsTimer. We also give detailed descriptions of the jobs that will be done by the volunteers helping at the registration tables and at the finish line.
Two weeks before race day
- Have fsTimer installed on all of the computers to be used for registration and on the computer to be used for the actual timing.
- Work with the race director to determine what the divisionals and registration database fields will be, and create a project in fsTimer for your race.
- If pre-registrations are being kept in a spreadsheet that will be imported into fsTimer, then obtain the current state of pre-registrations and try importing it into fsTimer, to make sure that everything is formatted correctly and will work as you want.
The week before the race
- Train the people working the registration table on what to do and how to use fsTimer to do it.
- Train the people working the finish line on what their roles will be, and do a practice run simulating the whole finish line process.
- When pre-registration is closed (perhaps the day before the race), import all of the pre-registration results into fsTimer (either importing it as a spreadsheet in the Preregistration window, or by just entering it all in at the Registration window). Save the database of pre-registration information, and copy the race project directory into the fsTimer directory on all of the computers being used at the registration table.
In the next section we give detailed instructions of what the roles of people helping at the registration and finish line would be.
The day of the race: Setup
- Set up the finish line, with a table for the timing computer and cones and caution tape for a chute.
- Have finish line crew ready.
- Set up the registration tables, with each registration computer running fsTimer and open to the Registration window, with the preregistration database loaded.
- Have registration crew ready.
In the next section we give details about how we like to set up the finish line.
The day of the race: Registration
- Make sure registration goes smoothly and that the people operating the registration computers are saving frequently.
- When registration has closed (maybe 15 minutes before the race starts), copy the final registration databases from each registration computer onto a flash drive. Copy them all from the flash drive onto the computer that will be used for marking times.
- On the timing computer, compile the registration databases.
- Take the timing computer to the finish line, and enter the Timing component of fsTimer to prepare for timing.
The day of the race: Timing
- Be on the phone with the person starting the race, and press "Start!" in fsTimer at the same moment that the race begins.
- Ensure that the finish line crew are marking times and tracking bib IDs according to plan.
- Save the results periodically.
- When the last runner has crossed the finish line, save the times and print the final results.
- Post the results, and it's finished!
The procedure for operating the finish line can be very simple for small races (50 or fewer people), but for large races we have found a number of details that are very important for ensuring accurate results. These details are discussed in the next section.
Continue on to
Section 3.1 Suggestions for race setup.