The world's leading timing technology now in the UAE
Ras Al Khaimah - The world's leading timing technology for active sports events will be used for the first time in the RAK International Half Marathon in February. The ChampionChip System is simple, accurate and professional. There is no similar system in the world. The basis for the ChampionChip technology is the radio-frequency-identification system (RFID), which is also used in Dubai's Salik toll system.
All participants in the RAK International Half Marathon 2008 will be issued with a ChampionChip that will provide them with fast and accurate results and net times including split times (times recorded at the 5K, 10K, 15K and 20K points).
Earlier this month the UAE became the 60th country to have an official representative of ChampionChip when ChampionChip UAE became an Official Timer. ChampionChip UAE is a part of Premier Marathons, race organizers and consultants to some of the top events in the region. Nathan Clayton, CEO of Premier Marathons; "I founded ChampionChip Lebanon as the first ChampionChip Timer in the Middle East in 2003 when I co founded the Beirut Marathon. After relocating our company to the UAE and founding the RAK International Half Marathon, the natural progression was to establish ChampionChip UAE. We hope to offer these unique timing services to events in the region while providing a service, which hasn't until now existed, to the local running community of the UAE." ChampionChip UAE will time its first event this coming weekend in India; the Hyderabad Half Marathon and 10K.
When asked about the Chip concept and how it works Theo Jans, Head of Communications, ChampionChip World responded, "ChampionChip is a miniature transponder in a specially designed plastic housing that can be used under all conditions (wet, dry, hot and cold). For running races, the ChampionChip is attached to the runner's shoelace. Each time an athlete wearing a ChampionChip crosses the special timing mats located at the start, finish and interim points of the race, the unique number of the chip is transmitted to the timing equipment and in turn a computer. The whole procedure takes approximately 60 milliseconds and is repeated continuously. In the Boston Marathon (2000) ChampionChip recorded a total of 175,000 actual accurate times for the athletes and loaded them all to the Internet within seconds. Premier Marathons have already set precedents for road running in the region and we're delighted to license them to offer UAE runners the opportunity for CC Timing."
For registration information and to know more about the RAK International Half Marathon visit www.rakmarathon.org. Registration closes on November 31, 2007. The RAK International Half Marathon February 8th 2008 is the world's richest half marathon and is held in association with RAK Police and RAK Media City. Official Sports Partner: New Balance. Official Registration Partners: Virgin Megastores & Wolfi's Bike Shop.
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For further information, please contact:
Greg Fairlie
Media Director
RAK International Half Marathon
Tel: +971 50 347 6424
Fax: +971 4 399 5678
E-mail: media@rakmarathon.org
Pat Butcher
International Media Coordinator
RAK International Half Marathon
Tel: +44 7900 243460
Fax: +971 4 399 5678
E-mail: pat01butcher@aol.com
© Press Release 2007
