FINISH LINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A smooth efficient meet will often depend on how the finish line operates. Here is an outline to help the day go more smoothly (we hope!)

Some general rules:

No cell phone usage by either the judges or the timers.

Keep all other athletes, spectators, coaches away from the timer and judges.

1) HEAD RECORDER :This person is the basic “head supervisor” of the finish line. He/she has control of the final results sheet that is sent to the computer room. They will be the only person communicating with the Clerk of Course – no one else. They will also be the only one communicating to the commissioner or computer room in case of problems.

a) Results Binder - This person will have the Track Results binder. They will be responsible to fill out the final result sheets (in consultation with the head judge and head timer).

b) Pre-Race Communication - Before a race starts, the Head Recorder will communicate with the Clerk of Course to determine how many athletes are in the race and what age groups are involved. They will then communicate this to the head judge and head timer. Please note – if age groups are combined, the younger age group will wear pinnies.

c) Starter Wave - Once both the head timer/judge have their crew of workers ready – they will indicate this to the Recorder. The Recorder will then signal to the Clerk/Starter that the race can begin. This will either be by walkie talkie or by a wave. NO ONE else should be waving to indicate they are ready.

d) Judges First…. Timers Second - Once the race is complete, the Recorder will head to the middle of the track (on the finish line). The judges will approach the Recorder with the placements of the race. Once those are written down, the Recorder will go the Head Timer and ascertain the times for each lane/athlete.

e) The “Office” - The recorder will now head back to the middle of the track and coordinate the placements/times without interference by any other person. Once the Recorder is satisfied that this is correct, he/she will indicate to the athletes to clear the track and give the sheet to the winner of the race to take to the computer room. The Recorder may ask the head judge/timer for further advice if needed.

**At no time will athletes approach the Recorder and ask for times or placements. If the winner wishes to share that info on the side of the track once the sheet has been handed over – that is fine.

2) HEAD JUDGE:This person is in charge of all the judges assigned to the meet. The head judge will also have a video camera/recording device to record all the finishes of each race. All the judges will be located on the INSIDE of the track.

a) Judges should be sitting on benches such that they are 2 x 2 and “stacked” up the different levels. It is really helpful at the district level – if we have adults rather than students judging 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

b) Before the races start, the head judge should assign placements to each judge. (Ie – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc). This should not change throughout the day unless there is a change in personnel.

c) In sprint races (hurdles, 100, 200, 400, relays), the judges determine the final placings then physically walk to the lane that matches their placement. They ask the athlete their name/school. They tell the athletes to remain in their lanes and to stay back from the finish line. The judges will then go to the finish line and the recorder will ask for their placements. Once this is recorded, the judges can return to their benches.

d) For hurdles races, four (4) adult judges need to each stand in a lane behind the finish line to judge if the athlete steps/falls out of their lane or either their lead or trail leg swings outside of the lane as they clear the hurdle resulting in a disqualification (DQ). Each judge may be responsible for 2 lanes (if the race is full). If this occurs, the judges need to report the DQ to the Head Recorder immediately following the race.

e) In distance races (800, 1500, 3000), the judges will have to “find” their athletes and ask for the name/school. Same process as above. In races such as the 3000 – if the order is very defined – it may not be necessary for the judges to leave the bench area. The recorder may be able to determine the order by herself.

f) If there appears to be a discrepancy or the judges cannot determine who is 1st/2nd/3rd – then the Recorder can ask the Head Judge to review the tape.

g) Each judge shall also count laps in the 1500 and 3000. If at all possible they should be assigned a runner and be given a pencil/piece of paper. As each racer approaches the finish line, they should be told how many laps remain.

h) The head judge shall be in charge of the bell that needs to be rung for all runners as they approach their last lap.

3) HEAD TIMER:This person is in charge of all timers. They are located on the OUTISIDE of the track on benches.

a) Timers should be sitting on benches such that they are 2 x 2 and “stacked” up the different levels. It is really helpful at the district level – if we have adults rather than students timing 1st, 2nd, 3rd. If at all possible – it would be useful to have more than one timer on the top 3 placements.

b) In the sprint races (hurdles, 100, 200, 400, relays) – timers should be assigned to a lane. This should not change during the day unless there is a change in personnel. Since the fastest runners are assigned to the middle of the track for the 100, 200 finals – that is where you should assign your adult workers.

c) If it is a distance race (800, 1500, 3000) – timers should be assigned to a particular athlete. This can be difficult at times – the head timer will need to quickly call out athletes by name/clothing color/school in order to assign the runners. Sometimes it’s easiest to assign athletes as they pass by the timers for their 1st lap of the race making it easier to visually identify who they are timing. The district meet starts with the 3000 so there should be a little more time to get organized before the 800 and 1500.

d) The Head Timer should be giving the following command instructions to the timers for every race:

i) “Gun’s up” – telling the timers to be prepared.

ii) “Everyone Good?” - If any timer indicates a problem (ie the stop watch did not start or malfunctions) then the head timer quickly needs to make appropriate steps to cover that athlete.

iii) “Clear Watches” - Once the times have been recorded timers reset watches to zero.

e) Someone at the finish line should be using the electronic timer – especially in the longer races as this ensures there is a physical copy of all times. This should be the head timer as they can do a double check while correlating watch times before times go to Head Recorder.

f) Once the race is finished, the head timer should consult with the timers and make sure every athlete has a time. If more than one timer is on a particular placement then times need to be averaged and determine who’s giving the time to the Head Recorder.

g) The head timer consults with the Recorder and each timer states their time either by lane (sprint races) or athlete (distance races).