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River City Race Management
Your Full Serive Affordable Race Management and Chip Timing Company
 [ About RCRM ] [ Race Results ] [ Upcoming Events ] [ Contact Us ]  Road race timing and scoring has entered into a new era. The widely accepted tear-off tag system has always created significant demands on race timers, race directors, and finish line volunteers. The larger the race, the larger these demands. The new space-age technology employs a system where a runner wears a computer chip on his shoe. As the chip crosses over a set of special mats at the finish line, the chip sends its unique identification number to antennas in the mats. The time and number are then recorded in the finish line computers. As a result, no chutes are needed, there are no back-ups at the finish line, the amount of needed finish line volunteers decreases significantly, and the results tabulation is practically instant. What is a ChampionChip? This system is called the ChampionChip, and it was first introduced in The Netherlands in 1994. The ChampionChip is a small plastic disk (less than 1.5" in diameter) containing a miniature transponder. It is attached to the runner's shoe lace. For triathlons, a velcro ankle bracelet is worn by the triathlete.  How does this system work? The basis for the ChampionChip timing system is the high-frequency identification system (TIRIS) from Texas Instruments. This is the same technology that is also used for security-locks in cars, admission control in buildings, and automated toll lanes on expressways. For race timing, special antennas are cast in thin tartan mats, and the mats are placed at the finish line and other timing locations. Each time a ChampionChip comes within the detection range of the antennas, the ChampionChip activates and sends its unique identification number to the reading antennas in the mats. The data is then stored with the corresponding time in a computer. A ChampionChip system with a 12 foot wide mat can score more than 1,500 athletes per minute without missing anyone! What makes the ChampionChip work? Each ChampionChip contains a miniature transponder with its own unique seven-character identification code. The transponder is encased with an energizing coil in a waterproof capsule. The transponder is passive until moving into the magnetic field generated by the ChampionChip antenna mats. The magnetic field activates the ChampionChip's energy coil, producing an electric current that energizes the transponder. The transponder then transmits its unique identification code to the reading antennas located in the same mats. There are no batteries in the ChampionChip - it uses a few simple laws of physics to seemingly pull its energy out of the air. Where has the ChampionChip system been used? Since its first commercial use at the 1994 Berlin Marathon, ChampionChip systems have timed thousands of events around the world including the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, the UPMC City of Pgh Marathon, the Ironman Triathlon and the Disneyworld Marathon. In 1999, more than 2500 events worldwide used the ChampionChip technology. In many sports events people compete, with one another, with themselves and with time. For active sports events the ChampionChip company has revolutionized timing. In 1994 the company introduced an automatic timing system, which can not only time the finish but also split and start times. This made net times for every individual athlete possible. The Full Story:
The ChampionChip System is simple, accurate and professional. There is no similar system in the world High-tech and easy to use timing system Fast and accurate results for small up to very large events Multipurpose utility: the system can be used in many different active sports events High level service by providing net times and splits for every individual competitor Regional, national and worldwide network of professional timing companies ChampionChip Technology The development of the ChampionChip technology started in 1993, initiated by the organization of the Seven Hill Run in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. It was officially introduced at the Berlin Marathon in September 1994. Presently the ChampionChip technology is used in the big city marathons, Ironman triathlons plus thousands of other events around the world, with proven superior performance. The basis for the ChampionChip technology is the radio-frequency-identification system (RFID) from Texas Instruments, which is also used for security-locks in cars and admission control in buildings.The success of the ChampionChip technology is achieved through the combination of synchronized multiple antennas, high-tech analog and digital electronics, and dedicated software for live bulk data handling. What is a ChampionChip? ChampionChip is a miniature transponder in a specially designed plastic housing. This device contains a chip in combination with an energizing coil. These elements are encased in a waterproof glass capsule, meaning the ChampionChip can be used under all conditions (wet, dry, cold and hot).  The ChampionChip can be worn in different ways. For running races, the ChampionChip is attached to the runner’s shoelace. In triathlons it is attached to an ankle bracelet. There are no batteries in the ChampionChip. The transponder is passive until moved into a magnetic field, generated by a send antenna. Here the energizing coil produces an electric current to power the chip. The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna. The whole procedure takes approximately 60 milliseconds and is repeated continuously. How does the ChampionChip System work? The send and receive antennas are cast in thin tartan mats. These antenna mats are placed at the finish line and other timing locations. They are connected to a Yellow Box at the side of the road, containing electronics and batteries. Each time an athlete wearing a ChampionChip crosses the mats, the chip gets energized and sends out its ID-number. This number and corresponding time are then stored in the Yellow Box and transferred to a timing computer for further processing. 
Figure 1 - Antenna mat sends out electromagnetic field 
Figure 2 ChampionChip sends its unique code Why ChampionChip? With the ChampionChip technology participants can rely on fast and accurate net results. Two examples of the system’s performance: In the 2000 Boston Marathon ChampionChip timed the start, 9 splits and the finish. 175,000 actual accurate times for the athletes were recorded and loaded to the Internet within seconds. The start of the New York City Marathon at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is timed with a total of 36 meters wide ChampionChip equipment. At this point the system is handling approximately 5,000 athletes per minute.  Finish at the Boston Marathon, 1999 The ChampionChip System offers many advantages, for event organizers, timers and participants alike. Some advantages for Event organizers Fast and accurate results High level service by providing net times and splits for every individual participant Split time services for press, TV and Internet Free flowing finish line (no chutes, less building up and taking down material) Check points along the course Professional Timers High quality service for event organizers and participants Working with a high-tech and easy to use timing system Collection of more data than ever before Possibility for real-time online services to speaker, press, TV and Internet Multipurpose utility: the system can be used in many different sports events and in many configurations Participants Fast and accurate results at each event Net times - the ChampionChip can register every individual start time, even when participants are at the back of the pack Split times, transition splits for triathlons, lap times Free flowing finish, no more restricted space at the finish A personal ChampionChip can be used all around the world in many sports like running, triathlon, cycling, mountain biking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing Where has the ChampionChip System been used? Since its introduction at the 1994 Berlin Marathon, ChampionChip Systems have timed thousands of events around the world, including every major International Marathon in New York Boston Chicago Los Angeles Gold Coast Cape Town Buenos Aires Honolulu Tokyo Durban Paris London Berlin Rotterdam Moscow  Since 1998 ChampionChip has also timed the Ironman Hawaii and many other Ironman events around the world. The system has been used at the famous Broloppet in June 2000, the half marathon between Denmark and Sweden across the new bridge connecting these countries. 79,837 competitors attended the race & ChampionChip timed all of them. ChampionChip:superior service for timers, events and participants alike. Our Sponsors
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