Tomorrow is the Detroit Turkey Trot, and I have entered the 10K race. Today I went and picked up the packet of “stuff” which includes the Tee Shirt and Bib Number.
Most races use a “hard” chip such as the Champion Chip. A disc about the size of a quarter and about .250 inch thick and has slots to run shoe laces through (or plastic ties) to secure the chip to the shoe. This works great, and you can even purchase your own chip if you like. They have only a few downsides. One is that if you lose it, or forget to remove it from your shoe they charge you $30 for it. Ouch. The other is at most races there are marshal’s right at the end of the line that stop you and remove the chip. While they remove it for you, normally I am huffing and puffing and do not really feel like standing there and waiting for them to remove and retie my shoe. It doesn’t take all that long, but when I can barely stand anyway……
So, like I said an exciting new technology is being used in the Detroit Turkey Trot… the simple Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) disposable chip.
The RFID “chip” comes stuck right on the bib number. You just peel it off, take off the instructions, slip one end through the laces, and wrap it around and stick the ends together. Presto-Chango and you are ready to race… with no halts at the end!
On the flip side of the chip you can see the wiring which makes up the antenna to transmit. These are non powered, but are activated by the mats you run across which picks up the signal. It is very low power so not much of a problem.
Until the final chip is salted and eaten,
George