We've all been to races where at the finish line someone takes the small tear away portion of your race bib and sticks it on to some sort of medal pole where they stack the bibs numbers as runners come in. Where does one acquire such an item (the medal pole thing)?
As of now I was thinking of just taking a medal hanger and re-purposing it. However, I'm sure there's a better, more efficient item out there for this function.
Don't touch any runners, period. It's hazardous. Use video to verify the placement.
We use clothes hangers. We can make two of the devices from one hanger. We bend them so they sort of resemble safety pins so you can close off the top so the tags cannot fall off once you are done with. There is a type of knitting needle that looks like a giant safety pin that can be used. Some people use fish stringers. They have a metal loop on one end that will keep the tags in place and a metal point on the other end of a nylon cord.
The above should work.
We call them spikes. The key is you want to be able to close them to ensure the order is not messed up if dropped (especially likely when using finish shoot volunteers). Depending on the timing system you are using or aren't using there are other suggests I'd give.
But based on the question being asked I'm assuming that there isn't a timing system in place and the suggestion above would do the trick.
These crab bait hooks are perfect: Stainless steel, heavy duty, secure closure, appropriate size, cheap.
http://www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com/4-x-8-stainless-steel-bait-hook.html
Create a tic sheet where you can write BIB numbers down on a clipboard. Use 2-10 sheets or the number needed based on the number of runners you have. Have one person read numbers as they finish to another person writing them down in order on the clipboard. Simple. I use this method, along with the hanger method for back when using Hytek for results. So in Hytek you need a times sheet, and you need a BIB # sheet. You then enter them in the computer seperately, then merge them, and presto! Results!
SUGGESTIONS FOR TRACK AND FIELD MEET DIRECTORS
Pre-event Planning
A. Secure Needed Facilities.
B. Pre-Meet Administrative Details.
1. Mail out school information.
a. List date, time, and location of meet.
b. List entry fees.
c. Give instructions for entries.
d. Give preliminary order of events and time schedule.
e. List of present track and field meet records.
f. Scoring system.
g. State admission prices.
h. Description of facilities.
i. Lodging and meal information.
j. Coaches’ meeting.
2. Secure necessary meet officials.
a. Meet director.
b. Referee/starter/assistant starter.
c. Announcer (the key man in your meet).
d. Clerk of course.
e. Assistant clerks.
f. Head timer -- two assistants per place (if needed)
g. Head finish judge -- two assistants per place (if needed)
h. Clerk of field events -- one head judge and minimum of one assistant
per field event.
i. Inspectors (from 6 to 10).
j. Scorers.
k. Awards steward (coordinates all awards ceremonies, checks to see that
all awards are accounted for, handles court of honor if applicable).
3. Secure necessary auxiliary personnel (non-officials).
a. Gates -- ticket sellers and takers.
b. Field supervisors -- keep all unauthorized people out of the infield.
c. Security -- to control spectators and traffic.
d. Program sellers.
e. Concessions.
f. Check in staff -- at contestant entrance.
1) Have coach’s envelopes.
2) Check spikes and sell when necessary.
3) Collect relay cards.
g. Athletic trainers and/or EMS
h. Runners -- both running and field events.
i. Hurdle setters, pit crews (minimum of three per each field event).
P a g e | 20
C. Details of Meet Preparation
1. Final Events.
a. Determine the number of heats or sections necessary.
b. Seed on basis of district final times.
2. Prepare final time schedule based on the above entries.
3. Print programs.
4. Make preparations for entering results as they come in.
5. Prepare coaches packets (programs, relay cards, contestant numbers and pins, if
used).
6. Unpack awards immediately upon arrival to check for correctness and breakage
D. Publicity (newspapers, radio, TV).
1. Keep media well-informed.
2. Press passes could be issued.
E. Equipment and Facilities Necessary.
1. Control center (press box, tent, roped-off area).
a. Tables and chairs.
b. Public address equipment.
c. Computers and printers.
d. Extra numbers and pins, when needed.
e. Programs for officials.
f. Paper, masters, pencils, markers, staplers, staples, paper clips,
clipboards.
g. Stopwatches (2 for each place to be timed, plus spares) or fully
automatic timing system.
h. Wind gauges (2).
2. Running events.
a. Hurdles in proper areas.
b. Inspector flags.
3. Field events.
a. Crossbars.
b. Rakes and pit levelers.
c. Certified weights.
d. Tapes (minimum of 3 -- 50 feet; 1 -- 100 feet; 2 -- 200 feet).
e. Distance markers.
4. General Equipment.
a. Ladder for pole vault area.
b. Awards stand.
c. Judges stands at finish lines (if needed)
d. Crossbar risers.
e. American flag and record of National Anthem.
f. Medical and first aid.
1) EMS or athletic trainers available
2) First aid equipment available.
P a g e | 21
Conducting Event:
A. Before arrival of participants.
1. Check in teams -- supply of correct size spikes, wrenches, etc.
2. Have all equipment at areas for warm-ups.
3. Designate warm-up areas
4. Have tickets, gate change, and concession supplies ready.
B. After arrival of participants.
1. Coaches complete relay cards.
2. Have all information and supplies ready for the officials as they report to a
control center.
C. Details of meet preparation.
1. Final events.
a. Determine the number of heats or sections necessary
b. Seed on basis of preliminary time.
2. Prepare final time schedule based on the above entries.
D. During Meet.
1. Opening ceremonies -- raise flag, play national anthem, introduce any
dignitaries.
2. Have runners stay close to the clerks and head finish judge. Also use runners to
check on outstanding performances at all field events as they progress.
3. Be sure announcers give all information pertaining to the event.
a. Entries in each lane with school.
b. Give record plus best performance to date (may give state or national
records).
c. Report the results of each race, trials and finals, giving all times, heights
or distances available.
4. Scorers will seed qualifying personnel from trials to semi-finals or finals.
5. Enter the results as soon as the event is completed and the cards have been
checked.
6. Present awards as final events are completed.
7. Duplicate results or post online as the meet progresses so that they are
complete and ready for distribution at the conclusion of the field event.
Post-Event Responsibilities:
A. Compile all results, noting new records for filing. Contact media.
B. Be sure that copies of the results are emailed or faxed to the appropriate director
immediately following the meet.
C. Make notes immediately on how the meet could be improved in the future.
D. Send out notes of appreciation to all those who helped in the running of the meet.
It is the 21st century - use chip timing.
Eagle Eye RFID Timing ~ $5400
Package includes:
Eagle Eye RFID Advanced Timing Software
Four-Port RFID Reader
Three RFID Antenna's with Stands
Laptop Computer
Portable Hard Carrying Case
500 Reusable RFID Tags
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibAtCnHYW_s&list=PLQtx-mXgKToEC_3-lyHL8cFHUebE9Eb_8