Explore our Frequently Asked Questions. Get answers by clicking on the questions below If your question isn’t answered here, just send us an email or use the ‘Contact Us’ section on the right.
How much does chip timing cost?
The short answer is – not as much as you might expect. The reality is that each event has its’ own unique qualities, so it’s difficult to provide an exact quote until after we are able to discuss the details of the event in question. Often just adding four or five dollars to your entry fee will cover the cost of our services.
How far does your company travel to provide services?
Our offices are based in Missoula, Whitefish, Bozeman, and Red Lodge, Montana. In addition to serving the state of Montana, we travel to races all over the US. Really it comes down to the fact that we love being a part of competitive sport events and we’ll travel far and wide to do it!
What is the smallest size race you will time?
Our minimum participant charge is 300 registered athletes. Triathlons or other events with split locations will sometimes have even fewer participants, but the complicated nature of the event affords the need for chip timing.
What's the biggest size race you will time?
There is no limit to size. We have enough equipment at our disposal to time a 60,000 participant race.
What makes chip timing better?
Immediate real time results, several backups in our system to avoid errors, and our other clients report that their stress levels on race day went down – way down.
Do you supply the bibs
While not included in the cost of timing, bibs can be purchased through us. We can help you order custom bibs or we have Competitive Timing bibs that can be purchased as well. Please refer to our ‘What We Need From You’ document for the different options.
What do you recommend for registration and packet pick up?
We recommend online registration through RunSignup for your event. We can set this up for you or you can create an account and get started right away! For races under 1,000 participants, we recommend same-day registration in addition to online preregistration.
Do you just do running races?
No. We do triathlons, multi-sport segment races, mountain bike & cyclocross races, road bike, nordic events, and almost every other human and non human-powered competitive sport.
Will you work for free for my charity/ fundraising race?
Possibly! We have and will continue to work for free or at discounted rate for some charity events every year. At Competitive Timing, we believe in supporting good causes and strong communities. As a race director for some events in the Flathead Valley, we have donated over $15,000 to non-profit organizations.
What if the start of my race is delayed?
No problem. We care about the start just as much as the finish. Most races have minor delays in actual start time. We adjust to the need at the time and then generate results accurate to one thousandth of a second for every athlete. Often races have wave offsets by division or even participant. Some race directors may prefer to let slower participants start sooner than the rest to help them complete a course by the cutoff time.
My race is different than most, can you still time it?
Races are different for many reasons. We can adapt to your event. You don’t have to adapt to us.
I want split times. Can you handle that?
Yes. We can handle as many split locations that you require. We can chip time the start, finish and as many points in between as you like. Some courses may even lap over the same timing point more than once.
Can you send race results via text message the instant a runner crosses the finish line?
Yes. We can even do it for free if you use RunSignup for online registration!
Will you send us the results so we can put them on our own website?
Yes. We’ll send the data in any format you desire. We will always have the results on CompetitiveTiming.com and we recommend creating a link on your site that goes to your dedicated results page on our site. We offer finisher certificates, video links and all updates to results are loaded on our page right away.
Can you handle a Photo Finish?
Yes. We use a Finish Lynx photo and video recording system that integrates with our chip timing system. Our camera equipment is accurate to one thousandth of a second.
How far in advance do I need to contact you?
We need a couple of weeks at minimum to prepare our equipment for your race. We have many race directors who have hired us for an annual race once, and then they just ask us to come back – year after year.
I'm creating a brand new race from scratch with little race directing experience. Can you help me with more than just timing?
Yes. We’ve been in the event management business for a long time. We have many connections in the industry and have learned some things the hard way. We are happy to share our experience and contacts openly with you. We love seeing new races get off the ground.