This explanation about why the CIM did not use Chip timing was sent to CIM entrants and posted in the runner information section at runcim.org from 2000 - 2004. In 2004, the CIM started suing Chip timing.

BACKGROUND

For those of you who might not know about Chip timing, it is a timing system that uses a transponder microchip attached to one shoe of each runner combined with receiver mats placed at the start and, at a minimum, at the finish. As the runner steps on the start mat a runner-specific signal is sent to the timing computers. This signal is sent again when the runner crosses the mat at the finish line. The runners race time (called "chip time") is recorded, regardless of when the official start time (called "gun time") of the race occurred. The primary purpose of a Chip timing system is to allow runners at very large events that have a long delay in getting all the runners across the start line to know their "net time" (start line to finish line). The "gun time" would be the runner's time from when the official race start occurred to when the runner crossed the finish line. USA Track & Field, the governing body for the sport and official record keeper, recognizes only "gun times" for offical placings and record keeping purposes; it does not accept Ship times.

CHIP TIMING FACTS

The CIM Board of Directors and Staff have been following the Chip timing systems carefully ever since they first appeared as a timing option. There are several very practical and basic reasons for us NOT to use this system.

1) The claim that Chip timing offers more accurate, faster results is simply not true. Problems include: runners trading Chips, the transponder mat not recording a chip signal, chip failure, improper wearing of the chip, and computer breakdowns.

2) The start at CIM is blessed with a very wide street (about 65 feet). Ever since CIM began in 1983, the last runner has crossed the start line within a minute of the firing of the starting gun.

3) Mats to cover the 65-foot width of the CIM Start are prohibitively expensive and are difficult to obtain. Using the standard 17-foot wide start mats would negatively impact the smooth, wide start we have at CIM. Also, since only "gun times" are recognized for records, many potential age division record setters would be negatively impacted with the slower start.

4) The Boston Marathon has a special rule for people who are running a non-Chip timed marathon to get their qualifying time: their finish time may be up to a minute slower than the official qualifying time. Since our last runner crossed the start line within a minute, Chip timing offers no advantage to people trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon at CIM.

5) CIM has always had separate finish lines for men and for women. This began with the first CIM when cofounder Sally Edwards was pioneering equal rights for women competitors. Maintaining the separate finish lines with Chip timing will incur even more expense.

6) Chip timing at the CIM would double the cost for basic start to finish timing (17-foot mats). If mats were placed at an additional two places on the course the cost would be tripled.

Due to these reasons, the CIM Board and Staff have agreed that we cannot justify the additional expense and would rather use this money to provide other runner enhancements.

HOW IS CIM TIMED WITHOUT CHIPS?
CIM is timed and runner's results scored using the same process that we've used for the last 20 years. Each runner wears a race number with a tear off tag at the bottom of that number. When you cross the finish line a volunteer will take your tag and keep it in the order you finished. These tags are recorded into a computer in that order. When you cross the finish line a time was recorded corresponding to the place you finished. These times are fed into the computer in the same order the tags are. Times and tags are matched up, and this is your finish time.