The "ChampionChip" system was developed in the early 1990's by a European technical university, a German race-timing company (Sport Team) and the organizers of the Seven Hills 15km in the Netherlands. It has been used successfully in major events all over the world with up to 30,000+ participants. The technology is based on a transponder developed several years ago by Texas Instruments called "TIRIS" (Texas Instrument Registration and Information System).

The system consists of the Chip, sensing mats and a controller box. The "Chip" which encloses the transponder is worn on the shoe. Zigzag wire antennas are encased in each mat and each mat is connected to a controller box. The mats are placed on the ground at both the start and finish lines. As the runner, wearing the chip (transponder), crosses the mat, the chip sends a signal unique to that chip to the mat and to the controller box. The time the chip crosses the mat is also recorded by the controller box and the chip signals and times are converted into ASCII data, which is downloaded to a computer.

Some advantages of using the chip:

-- Individual start time (chip time) is recorded reducing crowding at the start;

-- Free, open finish lines, no waiting in chutes;

-- Split times on the course;

-- Instant results;

-- Prevents cheating since no one without a chip can be scored.

-- Results are achieved almost instantly

Some races choose to score age groups by chip time rather than gun time. This puts everyone on equal footing no matter where they start the race (i.e., either on the front row or at the back of the pack). However, chip time is not yet accepted for records by the national records keepers (Road Running Information Center). In Houston, the Conoco Rodeo Run is the only event scored by chip time - with the exception of the male and female Open and Masters winners who are scored by gun time for record purposes.

Conversely, if a race chooses to use mats only for scoring, each runner receives only his/her gun time and mats are used only at the finish line.

The system is not foolproof. As we become more experienced with using the chip, we see that problems can develop.

-- The runner is given the wrong chip or the runner gets two chips mixed up, say hers and her friend's or partner's.

-- Runners have been known to wear two chips in an attempt to qualify another runner for the Boston Marathon.

-- People sometimes see that their chip and gun time are exactly the same even though they crossed both sets of mats (start and finish). This can happen when the density of runners is so great that there are not enough sensors to register everyone at the same time. We try to help this situation by having a backup system at the start as well as at the finish.

-- You see that you and another runner finish fairly close together but you feel that you were ahead of that runner. This can happen if one runner registered on the first set of mats while the other runner registered on the second set of mats.

Another possibility is that, while runners appeared neck-and- neck, the runner whose chip crosses the mat first registers first. What foot is the chip on? Which foot hits the mat first?

-- The mats occasionally do miss a runner. If you decide in the last 50 meters to race the person running next to you, you'll be flying with feet high off the ground. You need to be very careful to step directly on the mats at some point during your flight to the finish.

When you pick up your chip, the envelope will have a label showing a running number and a chip code. Your first obligation should be to see that you are given the correct envelope. That is, the running number on the envelope should correspond to the bib number you receive. Then check to see that the code on the chip is the same as that on the envelope. The chip that is in that envelope has been coded with runner data for that race number.

What are the runner's responsibilities in all of this?

-- You must wear the chip laced into the shoelace or held on with a special strap. Ideally, the longer end of center tube of the chip should be pointing downward. If you do not have a chip, you can not be scored;

-- You must be sure you are wearing the correct chip and that you have not accidentally exchanged it with a friend or partner;

-- You must cross the mats at both the start and finish lines and any mats that might be on the course if you want, for instance, your half-marathon time;

-- You must turn in the chip after the race.

-- If you don't complete the race, you must mail in your chip to the race office; it will not be good for any other running event.

Many runners (especially in Europe) are choosing to purchase a chip for individual use. These are the yellow chips rather than the black rental chips. The best part about owning your own is that you don't have to turn it in after the race. And, if you decide to drop out along the course, you don't have to worry about getting it back to race organizers. The same chip can be used anywhere in the world in a race that uses ChampionChip technology. Eventually, chip owners will be able to see a record of their times on the internet as results are reported and filed internationally. (We're not there yet!) If you would like to purchase your own ChampionChip, please click here.

The race is charged for any chips that are not returned and the race will pass that cost on to the runner. If your chip is not returned, the race will bill you for $30.00.

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