New timing system to be used at 2016 Bataan memorial event

By Ms. Adriana Salas (ATEC)August 13, 2015

Timing
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A new timing system will allow marchers and their family members to receive accurate times throughout the course of the Bataan Memorial Death March through the use of an app.

Innovative Timing System, LLC. will take over timing for next year's march, scheduled for March 20 at White Sands Missile Range. The main difference in the new timing system is the company's use of antennas rather than mats and ramps.

The news was announced in the Bataan Memorial Death March's website and Facebook page July 13. The new system will provide live updates to the marchers themselves and to family members who download the company's app. After completing the march, marchers will have the ability to print out their times from a kiosk that will be available on the day of the march. The updated timing system will not come at an increased cost to the marchers.

WSMR Garrison Information Security Officer David Rodriguez said the use of antennas instead of timing mats provide marchers with a much more accurate time.

"This will give a true start and finish time," Rodriguez said. "I'm just hoping it's a smoother process and it gives people better information."

The chip will now be placed directly on the bib, so marchers will no longer have to find a place to safely guard their chip for the entire march. The timing system's website states that their product has the ability to display live results on TV screens, through text messages, personal websites, and to post directly on social media.

"We're honored and proud to be the timing solution going forward for the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico," said Kurt Hansen at Innovative Timing System, LLC. "This is one of the premier events in the nation and it happens to be a very challenging environment. Jaguar is the perfect solution because it was designed from the ground up to work in the most extreme environments in the world," Hansen said.

He added that the system has timed events in some of the most demanding deserts in the world, and it uses patented technologies that were invented by ITS engineers to handle virtually any conditions on race day.

"Athletes will appreciate the fact that their results will be timely, accurate, and backed up with integrated high speed cameras strategically positioned around the course. In addition, our senior engineering team will be present to offer guidance and support throughout the event," Hansen said.

Rodriguez said he hopes to be able to have marcher's photos taken throughout benchmark mile markers and finish lines in the oncoming years.

The new system will replace last year's timing system company, which failed to provide times to marchers in an accurate and timely manner. Most timing systems, on average, should not take longer than a day to provide marchers their time. Last year, several marchers had to wait up to two weeks to receive their time. Comments from the march's Facebook page show that several marchers were never given their times or they feel their times were inaccurate.