About NATRA Blog

This page is meant for folks to post their thoughts on the Saturday group run. I (Neil) will post a blurb about who showed up and where it was held. From there, I hope that other runners will share their thoughts since we often have different experiences on the same run. Enjoy!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Return of Rhi and Tim



Today's group run marked a new milestone in Flagstaff running. With the brief return of Tim and Rhiannon, I knew we would have a near record turnout with 28 runners! This proved to be a perfect test for Gail's new chip timing system. Once we hoisted the trusses into place and wired the radio pads to the frame, off we went up Schultz Creek. Most ran to the Lincoln Logs and back, however, some endured the long loop up over Dry Lake Hills and back down Brookbank and Rocky Ridge.

The timing system worked flawlessly recording every runner who passed beneath the finish line. Bruce tried to trip up the system by wearing two numbers, one on his front and one on his back. The system prevailed. Not even Aaron Els crumpling his number and hiding it beneath his shirt allowed him to go incognito. We all tried to go back and forth under the pads, however the computer recognized us just the first time we finished. The system will require racers to arrive earlier to register so all the data can be entered into the system prior to the start of the race. However, the disposable chips that simply adhere to the back of a number will allow us to have faster, more accurate timing and require to have fewer volunteers at the finish line. Thanks to everyone for coming out to day!

Now, time to party with Tim and Rhiannon!