RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS

2010 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon to Utilize New Timing and Scoring Device

INDIANAPOLIS (March 12, 2010) – The 500 Festival announced today it will debut the world’s most advanced timing system at the 2010 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K.  Participants will utilize the Bib Timing Device that is worn on the participants bib.  This new technology produced by SAI -Timing & Scoring and ChronoTrack Timing Systems, Inc will replace the D-Tag, a light-weight disposable timing tag, which was used in 2009.  

The Bib Timing Device is a Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) and Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) that will record the runner’s official time, beginning when a participant crosses the start line and concluding as he or she crosses the finish line, as well as split times at the five and ten mile marks.  

“We continually invest to ensure we are providing a great customer experience,” said Kirk Hendrix, President and CEO of the 500 Festival.  “This timing device will offer participants, yet, a new level of convenience which will result in an overall better experience at our race.”  

The Bib Timing Device offers runners a more streamlined race experience than the traditional chip system. The participants bib serves as the timing device.  The Bib Timing Device does not need to be scanned.   On race day, runners simply secure their bib to the front of the torso and they are ready to run. After crossing the finish line, participants don’t have to worry about discarding a timing device.  The 500 Festival will also utilize the ChronoTrack Timing System for the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy 15K-run on April 10.

“We at Chronotrack have listened to the calls from Event Directors, Timers and participants. They all spoke out in one loud voice letting us know that all wanted a timing tag on their bib,” said David Simms, ChronoTrack Race Timing Consultant.  “ChronoTrack has been doing research and testing on this product for over a year.  You get the simplicity of just wearing your bib along with the accuracy that users have become accustomed to from Chronotrack Systems. The Bib Timing Device has already started to revolutionize electronic timing as we know it. “

The 34th running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K is scheduled for May 8, 2010.  The Mini-Marathon sold out with 35,000 entries on December 14, 2009.  Registration remains open for the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K at www.500festival.com for $30 until March 31, 2010. Registration will close on the date the maximum field of 4,000 is reached.  

The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Finish Line, St. Francis, Marsh and Subway

The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.  

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 53 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.

Last year, over 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in nearly 50 events and programs throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state’s largest festival for kids or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation’s premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.