Timing a 5K

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

This Question is Possibly Answered

1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (7 pts)

Last post: Jul 17, 2009 7:43 AM by designer

Becca1977

1 posts since
May 29, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

Dec 7, 2008 1:20 PM

Ugh, how do I get a 5K timed? I'm a volunteer for a non profit animal rescue and in June we are going to have 5K run, and a 1mile dog walk. I think that, being a runner myself, that the 5K needs to be timed, it's very important to the runners. Does anyone know how to go about doign this? How much it would cost, etc? Any advice of suggestion anyone could offer would be awesome.

Thanks

Gillian Byerly

1 posts since
Jan 14, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

1. Dec 8, 2008 12:14 PM

in response to: Becca1977

Re: Timing a 5K

I also work for a non-profit that holds an annual 5K. We contacted local running clubs. One answered our request - he charges us $75 to time the race - we provide him with volunteers to help post the times on the board - he has been involved for 5 years now and he has never asked us for more money. THat is where I would start.

Hope that helps!

Report Abuse

mylesdcollins

5 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

2. Mar 18, 2009 12:07 PM

in response to: Becca1977

Re: Timing a 5K

That $75 sounds extremely cheap to me. My experience as a race organizer is it's about $5 per person for a triathlon (with separate timings for splits and transitions) and I've heard it's about $2/person for a simple road race with a gun start and finish line. Since you are a non-profit you may get a timer to donate the service to you. If you are in the New England area let me know and I'll try to hook you up with a timer.

Myles

Report Abuse

designer

1 posts since
Sep 26, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

3. Jul 17, 2009 7:43 AM

in response to: Becca1977

Re: Timing a 5K

Hi,

I have a combined 5K/10K and 5K walk event. Is there a university or college running club in your community? They generally have equipment, not timing chips but the bib and clock. You could hire them, generally for not a whole lot of money but more than $75. It's a start. You might want to ask yourself if you really need to do official timing for the entire group? Do you give out awards for 1st - 3rd finishers. If you keep your awards simple then you can simply rent an official game clock and tell your participants that you will only be "officially" timing the winners. Then volunteers catch the first 10 (just to be safe) runners bib pull off portion to catch the winners.