Midweek Evening Race - Miller's Mutual Mile

I used to run track as a sprinter back in my high school days. As a result, I have no long distance running training to draw upon as many of my peers are able to.

The shortest race I have found is a one mile run in Harrisburg. I ran this race on Front Street in 1997 when it was then named the Smith Barney mile. I ran it in an amazingly fast 6 minutes and 8 seconds. The race is Wednesday July 15th and is run on Front Street between Maclay and Foster streets. My heat is scheduled to begin at 7:45PM.

This racing event is unique as there is a separate race for each age group and gender. In 2007 40 of the 42 aged 45-49 male entrants and in 2008 36 0f 37 aged 45-49 male entrants ran a mile in under 8 minutes. Fortunately i can run a mile in under 8 minutes now, but I am going to be staring at a lot of man butts for this mile race as I will be trailing the pack.

I would like to run a mile in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds. I must ensure that I stretch properly before this race as well as warm up or risk pulling a muscle while running. Not only would a pulled muscle hurt, but it would probably cement last place for my heat.

I have had good training runs this week and feel as good as I ever have going into a race.

This race employs a computer chip you affix to your shoe. 1/4 mile splits will be recorded for this race. Read about the timing device below.

http://runhigh.com/ChampionChip/CC-Intro.html

ChampionChip System

Introduction

Road race timing and scoring has entered into a new era. The widely accepted tear-off tag system has always created significant demands on race timers, race directors, and finish line volunteers. The larger the race, the larger these demands.

The new space-age technology employs a system where a runner wears a computer chip on his shoe. As the chip crosses over a set of special mats at the finish line, the chip sends its unique identification number to antennas in the mats. The time and number are then recorded in the finish line computers.

As a result, no chutes are needed, there are no back-ups at the finish line, the amount of needed finish line volunteers decreases significantly, and the results tabulation is practically instant.

What is a ChampionChip?

This system is called the ChampionChip, and it was first introduced in The Netherlands in 1994. The ChampionChip is a small plastic disk (less than 1.5" in diameter) containing a miniature transponder. It is attached to the runner's shoe lace. For triathlons, a velcro ankle bracelet is worn by the triathlete.

How does this system work?

The basis for the ChampionChip timing system is the high-frequency identification system (TIRIS) from Texas Instruments. This is the same technology that is also used for security-locks in cars, admission control in buildings, and automated toll lanes on expressways. For race timing, special antennas are cast in thin tartan mats, and the mats are placed at the finish line and other timing locations. Each time a ChampionChip comes within the detection range of the antennas, the ChampionChip activates and sends its unique identification number to the reading antennas in the mats. The data is then stored with the corresponding time in a computer. A ChampionChip system with a 12 foot wide mat can score more than 1,500 athletes per minute without missing anyone!