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Welcome to Run Wild Sports Timing

We have compiled tons of info below about the ChampionChip! Click on one of the links below to jump to that topic.


What is a ChampionChip?

The ChampionChip provides accurate net times for every athlete. The ChampionChip is a high-tech, easy to use timing device. It can provide accurate net and split times for every individual athlete. Once you buy your own yellow chip, you can use it all over the world in almost any event we time.

A ChampionChip is a miniature transponder in a specially designed housing, marked with a unique identification number. The transponder is a waterproof glass capsule that contains a silicon chip and an energizing coil. The ChampionChip can be used under all weather conditions, wet and dry, cold and hot.
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How does the ChampionChip work?

There are no batteries in the ChampionChip. The transponder is inactive until moved into a magnetic field, generated by a send antenna in a mat. When the ChampionChip enters the magnetic field, the energizing coil produces an electric current to power the chip. The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna in a mat. The entire process takes approximately 60 milliseconds.
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Where can a "Chip" be used?

The ChampionChip can be used in many active sports events. Thousands of event organizers around the world are using ChampionChip timing for running, triathlon, cycling and mountain biking, in-line skating and cross-country skiing. One chip can now be used in all these sports worldwide.
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How do I use a "Chip" during events

  • When you bring your personal chip to an event, make sure the organization knows the chip code. This is the 7-digit code, marked on the outside of the chip.
  • Make sure no one else uses your personal chip, or the chip issued to you by the event organization.
  • Make sure that you have only one chip in an event.
  • Bare in mind: no chip, no time. Only athletes wearing a ChampionChip will be timed.
  • In some countries the distributor offers chip/barcode labels with the personal chip. Use these labels on the entry form. This prevents errors during reading, writing, or typing the code by both the owner and the organization. When you register online, make sure the chip code is entered correctly.
  • Chips issued by the event, should be returned after crossing the finish line, or sent to the event's office as soon as possible after the event. The event brochure or information package will include instructions for returning the ChampionChip.
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How do I attach the "Chip"?

The reading distance of the ChampionChip System is limited. The antennas are embedded in the red mats on the road. Therefore the chips should be located as close to the mats as possible on the body of the participant. In cycling events the chips should be located as close to the mats as possible on the frame of the bike.

In running, triathlon, cycling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and in-line skating events:
  • The chip should preferably be attached to the shoelace or attached to the ankle with a strap. Loop a single lace through the square holes of the ChampionChip and pull it tightly to the shoe. When using a strap, attach the ankle strap with the chip around your ankle. Make sure you do not attach it too firmly because your ankles will swell up during the event.
  • When you own a personal chip you can leave it attached to your running shoes. This way, you make sure you will not forget to take your chip to an event.
  • For your personal chip, the best position is the lowest part of the shoelace, as close as possible to your toes. When you do not use your personal chip, use the upper part of the shoelace, close to the knot, for easy removal and return of the chip after the finish.
  • Do not tie the chip into the lace; when this comes loose, the chip may easily be lost.

In cycling and mountain biking events:
  • Preferably the specially designed clip should be used. With this clip the ChampionChip can be mounted to the frame (central tube or front fork) of the bike, or attached to the front fork via the quick release of the wheel.
  • When participants are allowed to change bikes during cycling and mountain biking events, the chip should preferably be attached to the ankle with a strap. Only in this situation all chips should be worn on one side.
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What are some tips to make the "Chip" work?

There are a few guidelines to make sure the chip will be charged by the magnetic field, generated by the red mats:
  • When attached to the shoelace, the central tube of the chip should be pointing in the "running direction". When attached on the ankle or on the frame of the bike, the tube should point downwards.
  • The chip housing and the chip-clip for bikes are both designed to bring the chip automatically in the right orientation. When the chip is attached to the shoelace, event organizers often offer small bands or wraps (not the ankle straps), to simplify chip return. This might cause a wrong orientation of the chip. Please look at the pictures to see what is right and what is wrong.
  • The chip should not be mounted on the metal of bikes, ice-skates or in-line skates directly. The central tube of the chip housing must be separated from metal by at least 7 millimeters. When the chip is on the bike instead of the ankle, do use the chip-clip. Only the clip guarantees proper functioning of the chip.
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What are some "Chip" Do's and Dont's?

  • The chip can be damaged by extreme shocks and by cooking it in a microwave oven.
  • Remove the chip before putting the shoe in the washing machine.
  • Do not give your personal yellow chip to event volunteers at the finish line area. Volunteers may not be aware that you own the chip and it can be used in other events.
  • If you cannot finish the race, return your chip only to designated race officials or volunteers.
  • Do not cross the systems by walking on your hands. Your chip will not be read.
  • Do not attach the ankle strap too firmly to your ankle: your ankle will swell up during the event.
  • Do not mount the chip directly on the metal of the bikes, ice-skates or in-line skates.
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Why are some "Chips" colored black?

Black chips are issued by the event for one time use. These chips are not for sale. The participants must return these chips after crossing the finish line. If the chip is not returned, some events will charge participants for the costs involved. Some events use black chips in combination with yellow logo chips. In these events you can buy a logo chip with the event logo, or bring your personal yellow chip. All other participants will receive a black chip that has to be returned after the finish. This is often done in the USA. This means on the entry form all participants can choose between:
  • Bringing their personal yellow chip
  • Buying a yellow logo chip
  • Receiving a black chip from the event, which must be returned
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Info for chip owners and buyers.

A personal yellow chip can be used all over the world, in almost any event we time, independently of the chip concept used in the specific country or event (black, white or blue). Make sure you give your chip code to the event organization. Never use two chips in one event. Both the classic yellow design and the yellow logo chips with embedded event logos, are called yellow chips. We cannot guarantee that all events using ChampionChip timing will accept personal yellow chips: the events make the final decision.

If you want to purchase a yellow chip outside of an event offering yellow chips you can purchase one from Run Wild Sports Timing..
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About the "Chip" owners database.

All yellow and blue chip owners are in a national and/or worldwide ChampionChip database. The Chip Owners Database is used by events to help identify chip owners. A typing error in the chip code during the event registration process will result in your chip being timed without a name. These so-called "orphan chips" cannot be part of the final results. The Chip Owners Database can offer the solution. In this database the recorded chip code will lead us to the rightful owner. This owner can be found in the event database too, when he/she officially entered the race. Now the correct chip code can replace the mistyped one, and the recorded times will end up with the right person in the final results. It is important that your personal data are correct.
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