Timing Chips

Yesterday I worked at the Finish Line at the PEC Marathon. My job was to remove timing chips. I learned one important thing yesterday while doing this job.

NEVER NEVER NEVER THREAD YOUR SHOE LACE THROUGH THE TIMING CHIP!!!

Yes, I am yelling! It was so frustrating yesterday trying to get those chips off when it had a shoe lace through it. And in most cases it wasn't at the TOP of the shoe lace, but way DOWN at the bottom!

I also learned several other things:

A good percentage of the people coming over the finish line are either slightly to very dazed and disoriented. A lot of them have very shaky feet and legs making it very hard to get that chip off their shoes. Most of them need someone to steady them just so they can put their foot up on the little tub to get the chip cut off. When I asked some people if I could get their chip, they looked at me and looked at the little stool that I had and immediately turned and sat down on it, instead of putting their foot on it! It was very interesting to watch everyone's reactions when you asked them for their chip. A lot of people almost threw their foot up on the stool. A quarter of them put the wrong foot up, and were really surprised when you told them you needed the other foot. Some people couldn't lift their foot to get it up on the stool.

Many many people are worried about losing that chip (I know - I am too). One guy had his on with the little red piece of plastic plus two others! A lady had two holders on hers - when I told her about the guy with three, she said "That would be my husband!" At least I could cut them off though!

I found out that you can buy velcro that goes around your ankle and holds the timing chip just like the ones you get at some events. I found that out when I threw the velcro strip into the bucket and the guy said "Hey, that's MY Velcro."

Sandy says she can get those Velcro strips. I know of a bunch of people that would be very happy to purchase them. Sandy this could be a great seller at next year's marathon too!