10 August 2009

IPICO Outstanding at World's Largest Race

A beautiful winter's morning unfolded as the record size field made their way to Hyde Park for the start of the 39th Year of the City2Surf Fun Run.

Timing Sports used their IPICO Elite Sports time-keeping system and custom Shoetags to ensure all 76,254 entrants received their time for the world-famous 14km run from the city to the beach. Olympian Eamon Sullivan and Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore were on hand to get the 2009 City 2Surf Fun Run underway.

With an impressive additional 5,000 entrants over last year's field, organizers had to keep a tight reign on potential incidents. An additional feature of IPICO electronic timing enabled organizers to identify problems, and discourage recidivists. 1,640 entrants were disqualified for starting ahead of their official group.

Timing Sports used 10 IPICO systems with 93 linear metres of timing mats to ensure nothing was missed. The systems were all electronically linked together providing instant results for the organizers.

"Runner's safety is paramount at these events, with the start line being a major challenge because of the sheer volume of people crossing" comments Event Timer Rob Docherty. "The IPICO system was easy to set up and deploy, and allowed us a generous 20 metre clear start line. We just couldn't believe how smoothly it went. The timing mats stayed secure as the sea of people made their way over the start and finish lines".

Vocal support throughout the race provided the impetus for all but a few to keep going up the infamous Heartbreak Hill, with only 577 starters failing to finish the race.

Over $2 million was raised for charity from this event.

For further information on the timing of the City2Surf click here.

To view the ABC news article on the City2Surf click here.

Contact:

Peter Armson, General Manager Sales

peter.armson@times-7.com

+61 401 992 683

About Times-7 Sport
Times-7 Sport provides sports timing solutions using the most advanced sports information technologies available in the world. Times-7 Sport is the Australian distributor of IPICO Sports and Times-7 sports timing products, including Sportscore, a state of- the-art event management software solution. Our systems make event timing easy, providing accurate and reliable results every time.