Instructions for Timekeepers

• All timekeepers are to report to the Officials Coordinator prior to the "event day" program commencing to:
  • sign in
  • obtain name tag
  • obtain officials tag
  • obtain stop watch
  • obtain performance recording tickets (Front and Circular Straight Timekeepers with exception of Chief Timekeeper)
  • obtain a pen in working order.
• Go to event location and report to Chief Timekeeper
• Function
  • To measure the elapsed time between the start of a race and the finish.
• Definitions
  • Start :  At first sign of smoke from Starters gun, or sound if smoke not visible. Also the flash of a gun can be used.
  • Finish: When any part of the runner's torso crosses the plane of the finish line.
  • Torso: That part of the body not including the head,neck, arms and legs.
  • Chief Timekeeper: That designated official to:
    • coordinate the activities of the Timekeepers at their location
    • watch athletes performance during race to ensure no athlete has acted improperly during the event, obtained an unfair advantage, and / or disadvantaged another athlete (also see running lanes below). This official may disqualify the athlete if they deem it necessary. Please note that NLAC's policy is for the children to have fun, and children do not see being disqualified as being fun, so for NLAC events, please use your discretion on disqualification rules by keeping atune to the spirit of the moment, and other competitors thoughts.
• Preparation
  • With your issued watch, have a few practices starting, stopping and resetting it. Check with Chief Timekeeper if not sure of operation or if watch is defective. If defective obtain a new watch.
  • For Front Straight, Back Straight and Circular Track events
    • If a hurdles day, the Chief Timekeeper will inform the place timekeepers who must ensure that the hurdles are on the track in the correct location for the 1st Event.
    • Write up some 20 or more tickets with the date (ie 12/10/01), place (ie 2nd), Centre (Nunawading). This is done to make it easier during events until you get into the full swing of ticket writing.
  • For distance or race walking events, see the Printout Stopwatch section below.
• The Race Process for Front Straight, Back Straight and the Circular Track
  • All events will be timed with the exception of the Under Age race where the performace ticket will have the date and the comment 1st Place written on it.
  • If a hurdles event, the Chief Timekeeper will ensure that hurdles are at the right height and in the right place for the event. If not, the Timekeepers will need to correct prior to the commencement of the race. (See hurdles information below).
  • The Chief Timekeeper will check to see that all timekeepers are ready.
  • If all are ready, the Chief Timekeeper will turn the lollipop so that the green side faces the Starter to advise the Starter that he can start the race.
  • The Chief Timekeeper will advise the Timekeepers and the race time recorders of the Age Group racing. This can be ascertained by the Age Group Controller marshalling the event waiving to the Chief Timekeeper at the start of the age group.
  • The Chief Timekeeper will find out the events record time for the age group from the recorder and commit it to short term memory.
  • The Chief Timekeeper is to run his clock on the time for the 1st placegetter to ensure that a minimum of two clocks are on 1st place.
  • Consider how many athletes are in the race. If you are timing 4th and there are only 3 athletes in the race, then ask the Chief Timekeeper if they would like you check time another position
  • Take a place within 5 metres of, and in line with the finish line, ensuring line of sight with the Starter.
  • Hold the watch between the thumb and forefinger with forefinger on the button.
  • Look at your watch before the race to ensure it is set to time.
  • Listen to the Chief Timekeepers calls and the arm of the Starter.
    • When Starter raises gun arm to horizontal to the ground, this indicates "On Your Marks" to the athlete. The Chief Timekeeper will call out "Gun Ready" to the Timekeepers when the Starter does this.
    • When the Starter raises the gun arm above their head, this indicates "Set" to the athlete. The Chief Timekeeper will call out "Gun Set" to the Timekeepers when the Starter does this.
  • Commence watch at start of race per above definition.
  • If you miss the start of the race, notify the Chief Timekeeper immediately advising the place you are officiating on. The Chief Timekeeper will try to cover this time with another unused timekeeper if available. The Timekeeper in error should still physically watch their athlete cross the finish line, noting the distance between runners placed either side of them.
  • If there is a false start, the Chief Timekeeper will call "False Start, clear watches". Remember to reset your watch to zero should this occur.
  • Once race is under way, the Chief Timekeeper will turn the lollipop so that the red side faces the Starter to advise the Starter that he cannot start the next race.
  • The watch must always be held still during the race. You should eliminate all waste motion.
  • With about 30 metres of the race still to run, note the athlete you are timing (ie 2nd Place official is timing the athlete who will cross the finish line 2nd) and prepare to stop the watch. Do not anticipate the finish.
  • Stop the watch as the athlete you are timing finishes the race per above definition.
  • Make sure that all athletes have finished the race before stepping on to the track.
  • Commit the athlete you have timed to short term memory, so that you can find them when you need to give them their performance ticket.  You will be amazed how hard this is to do, so we recommend you remember a distinguishing feature such as club colour, a coloured cap, height, etc.  On some occassions 6 runners from the same club may be in the race so it can get difficult.
  • If the race is close, confer with the appropriate place judge to ensure you have not judged the same child. (ie if you are timing 2nd place and the 2nd & 3rd athletes were close together, then confer with the 3rd place timekeeper) Make a decision as to which athlete took what place.
  • All timing at NLAC should be in TENTHS OF A SECOND. If three clocks are on first place, the middle one is accepted as the correct time. If two clocks are used, then the slowest time is accepted.  Clocks are always ROUNDED UP, never down! You cannot give an athlete a faster time than he / she has actually been timed at. For example:
    • 9.80 seconds becomes 9.8 seconds
    • 9.81 seconds becomes 9.9 seconds
    • 1 minute 24.30 seconds becomes 1 minute 24.3 seconds
    • 1 mimute 24.31 seconds becomes 1 minute 24.4 seconds
    • 1 mimute 24.39 seconds becomes 1 minute 24.4 seconds
  • The Chief Timekeeper will confer with the 1st Place Timekeeper, and the 1st Place Timekeeper will adopt the time of the slower of the two clocks
  • The Chief Timekeeper will then gather all timekeepers together and have the times called out in place order. This is done to ensure that times run in order. If out of order, or a time missed, the time allocated to the athlete will be at the discretion of the Chief Timekeeper ensuring commomn sense prevails. Note: this may appear time consuming, but as an athlete only physically gets to compete for 7 1/2 minutes in 3 hours, the least we can do is get it right when they do compete. It is possible for children to achieve the same times despite their placings. In a 100 metre sprint, one tenth of a second can mean one to one and a half metres, and while it is possible to isolate the placings, the times will be the same and should be recorded as such.
  • Once the Chief Timekeeper is satisfied with the times, go to the child who will probably standing at your feet because they know what place they came. Write on the performance ticket their age group, time, and registration number. Enter the other information if it was not entered on the ticket earlier. If the athlete cannot show you their club colours , or their registration patch, then do not put a registration number on the ticket. They may have their ticket, but their performance is not recorded. It is NLAC rules that athletes must compete in the correct attire. If the child has accidentally left these items at home, then it is up to the athlete to correct the problem with their Club before they enter the race.
  • Give the ticket to the child providing encouragement (ie. well done, good run, etc.) and direct them to the recording table. The child should leave you with a good impression of you, and feeling good about themselves.
  • Do not reset your watch until the Chief Timekeeper calls "OK to Reset" which  will be done once the Chief Timekeeper is satisfied all administration for the race is over, and athletes have been cleared to the recording table.
  • In the event of a record or equal record for the event, the Chief Timekeeper will not call "OK to Reset" until the following is complete.
    • Both watches times need to be written on the recording sheet along with the athletes name and registration number.  Both watches need to be sighted by a NLAC Committee Member, agreed to the entries on the recording sheet. The NLAC Committee Member must sign the recording sheet to verify the information.
    • When this is done the Chief Timekeeper calls "OK to Reset"
  • After hearing "OK to Reset", reset the watch back to zero and prepare for the next race.
• Printout Stopwatch
  • When timing distance or race walking events it is not necessary or practical to time each athlete with an individual watch, but it is required that 2 normal watches are used on first place in addition to the Printout stopwatch in case of a record.
  • As an athlete crosses the finish line, the printout stopwatch is clicked. This is done until all athletes have crossed the line.
• Running Lanes
  • In all races conducted in lanes, athletes must keep within his/her lane from start to finish. 300m, 800m, 1500m and all walks are unlaned events. If an athlete having run outside of their lane, unintentionally or otherwise, has gained an unfair advantage, then that athlete may be disqualified or the order of the finish changed to adjust the unfair advantage.
• Hurdles Information