as for the comments re freebees – perhaps we can consider that we have free photo vendo pictures. (if you buy this abroad they will easily charge you USD$20 dollars).

and also the chips, timing system, run pix were all subsidized.

the truth is, we have the cheapest race entrance fees in the world.

running is the states and other countries in asia will set you back like usd$40 dollars. (depending on the event)

so we are lucky that the quality of our races are improving significantly trying to benchmark with the rest of the world while our race fees have remained the same!

so this something to think about and be thankful for.

as for the timing system – this is really the way to go. the organizers really took a big risk not piloting the system in a big run like Globe. it should have been tested first with a much smaller race. but i suppose there was not enough time. however, i am confident that they will work out all the kinks and then the system will be fully maximized with real time timing information – just like the nyc marathon.

Did you read the instructions? “The chip must be tied to the shoelace….Do not tie the chip into the lace…”

That’s where they lost me.

Using my COMMON SENSE, I did not follow the instructions and instead inserted my lace into the middle hole of the chip so that it would be secure.