Chip time v Gun time

tempo

Was looking over an old result in the race series in the Phoenix park and I noticed I finished ahead of a guy with a faster chip time.
For me he would have to feel hard done by as he must have started in row 2 or 3 at the start line.
So my question to all you runners is this:

What should we go by gun or Chip time?

Krusty_Clown

Lengthy debate on this before after a female runner finished a marathon faster than any other female, but was handed the second prize as she didn't start with the elite field, which started slightly before the mass participation race. Might have been Chicago or somewhere.

RayCun

For my own 'records', chip time. Gun time will never tell me how fast I ran, because I don't start at the front.
But I understand that races want to know who finished first, second, third, and they want to know this immediately. The top finishers will have started at the front, so gun time (or position-based-on-gun-time) will be right for them.

shels4ever

Gun time for results, Chip time for personal time nothing else.

shels4ever

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Lengthy debate on this before after a female runner finished a marathon faster than any other female, but was handed the second prize as she didn't start with the elite field, which started slightly before the mass participation race. Might have been Chicago or somewhere.

yep
http://speedendurance.com/2008/10/24/chip-time-vs-gun-time-controversy/

eliwallach

shels4ever wrote: »

Gun time for results, Chip time for personal time nothing else.

+1

RedB

Which counts when used as qualifying time e.g. for Boston / NY - chip or gun time?

Krusty_Clown

Neither really specifies on their official sites, so I would imagine either would do. Better play it safe though, and get both times under the qualifying requirement.

found this on another site:
Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards - FAQs

Q. Are qualifying times based on "gun" or chip/net time?
A. From races that use the chip timing system, the chip/net time will be accepted for qualifying purposes.

jcunniffe

shels4ever wrote: »

Gun time for results, Chip time for personal time nothing else.

+1.

For interest, the relevant rule on chip timing is IAAF Rule 165.24 from the current IAAF Competition Rules.

24. The use of Transponder Timing Systems approved by IAAF in events
held under Rules 230 (races not held completely in the stadium), 240
and 250 is permitted provided that:
(a) None of the equipment used at the start, along the course or at the
finish line constitutes a significant obstacle or barrier to the
progress of an athlete.
(b) The weight of the transponder and its housing carried on the
athletes’ uniform, bib or shoe is not significant.
(c) The System is started by the Starter’s gun or synchronised with
the start signal.
(d) The System requires no action by an athlete during the
competition, at the finish or at any stage in the result processing.
(e) The resolution is 1/10th of a second (i.e. it can separate athletes
finishing 1/10th of a second apart). For all races, the time shall
be read to 1/10th of a second and recorded to the whole second.
All read times not ending in zero shall be converted and recorded
to the next longer whole second, e.g. for the Marathon, 2:09:44.3
shall be recorded as 2:09:45.
Note: The official time shall be the time elapsed between the
firing of the starting gun and the athlete reaching the finish line.
However, the time elapsed between an athlete crossing the start
line and the finish line can be made known to him, but will not
be considered an official time.
(f) Whilst the determination of the finishing order and times may
be considered official, Rules 164.2 and 165.2 may be applied
where necessary.
Note: It is recommended that judges and/or video recording(s)
also be provided to assist in determining the finishing order.

Boston Qualifying is by chip time however.