I have to wear a bib?
And answers to other questions you're afraid to ask at your first race
by Lindsey Drake
You’ve done the training and you think, “I’m ready for this. I’m going to pick my first race.” You drive to your local running store or jump on the web to search for a race. You find the cause you’d like to support (or the race that’s on the one free weekend you have this summer), and you pick up the registration form. Now you’re thinking, “I’m in over my head.” You don’t even know what this form is talking about. Here’s Race Registration 101, because you are ready!
Competitive/Non-Competitive:
Some races will have runners check one category or the other. Competitive participants will receive a chip to clock their time, the non-competitive runners usually will not. Even if you don’t consider yourself “competitive,” you might want to check that category so that you will receive your most accurate time.
Walk Competitive:
Available in some races; participants in this division will receive their awards separately. If you plan on running any part of the race, please do not check this category. Race walkers compete within this division.
Closed Course/Open Course:
A closed course means traffic has been stopped for the race, and there will be race officials along the course. Open course indicates that traffic has not been stopped, and you will need to obey street signs and lights. Depending on the length of the course, it may start out closed, but open after a certain amount of time has passed.
Packet Pick-Up:
After you sign-up for a race, you will need to pick up your packet. Packets are usually picked up the day before the race at a predetermined location. Or you can pick up your packet the morning of the race. Your packet contains your bib number, safety pins, chip, t-shirt and other free goodies.
Bib Number:
This is a piece of paper with a number, that has been assigned only to you. Pin this bib to the front of your shirt during the race to allow officials to know you are a participant and the photographer to assign your picture to your name.
Chip:
Not all races have “Chip Timing,” but larger races use them to better determine your time. Tie this chip into your laces before your race. Mats are placed across different parts of the course, which record your times at these locations, including the finish. This chip is provided, free of cost, as long as you return it at the end of your race.
Reading race results can sometimes be even more confusing. Here are some things that may appear in the results:
Overall Place:
Where you placed among all runners finishing the race.
Gender Place:
Where you placed among all runners of your gender.
Age Place:
Where you placed among all runners in your age group.
Chip Time:
This is the time it took you to complete the race, based on your chip. (Race results are based on this time.)
Gun Time:
This is the time it took you to cross the finish line based on when the gun started the race.
Pace:
This is your average pace per mile according to your chip time.
Now you have what you need to fill out your forms, and read the race results, too! Good luck!
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