Groups keyboard shortcuts have been updated
Dismiss
See shortcuts

Cross-Country Running events

87 views
Skip to first unread message

G P Ashe

unread,
Nov 7, 2024, 3:55:33 AM11/7/24
to Webscorer Users Group
Hi folks from Ireland

I have been using webscorer for several years to organise inter-school cross-country events. I would welcome any views from those who do similar.

We have 6-8 races in rapid succession - sometimes the next race will begin as the stragglers from the previous race are still on the course. There could be 100 runners per race.  Sometimes 2 age categories might be combined in same race if numbers are low (usually Girls U17 & U19 are together). Runners are given a bib with race number and the results are entered via iPad at the finish chute.

Sometimes I have done 8 seperate races, sometimes I have done one race with wave starts.

Haven't gone down the RFID route but am tempted because I like tech but is it worth it?
I think I would only need a hand-scanner gun for the finish as all runners go into a chute and times are not really important - finishing position is.

Anyone doing similar??

I must say at this point and endorse the view already expressed that I have always found Vesa to be very helpful with his advice and guidance. I don't know does ever he sleep as when I ask question from Ireland despite time difference he always seems to reply quickly!

Greg

Vesa Suomalainen

unread,
Nov 7, 2024, 10:31:32 AM11/7/24
to G P Ashe, Webscorer Users Group
We just added support for the Chainway C5 handheld RFID scanner in version 7.1 of the app.  This scanner is (relatively) affordable, here’s one source in the US that lists it for $798: https://www.barcode-arena.com/chainway-c5-android-rfid-scanner.html

The C5 supports both continuous scanning as well as trigger-scanning.  It runs Android 11 so the Webscorer app runs on the device itself.  Two organizers (one in Panama, another in Canada) are using this model with Webscorer PRO.

The potential downside of scanning a bunch of runners in a busy finish chute is that you may end up scanning the adjacent runner’s chip unless the antenna power setting is set low enough to set the effective scanning distance to just 20-30 cm.


Screenshot 2024-11-07 at 7.21.52 AM.png


--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Webscorer Users Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to webscorer-users-...@webscorer.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/webscorer.com/d/msgid/webscorer-users-group/fed11802-0130-425f-ac58-a0effad9f795n%40webscorer.com.

James Joy

unread,
Nov 14, 2024, 2:19:25 AM11/14/24
to Webscorer Users Group, Vesa Suomalainen, Webscorer Users Group, G P Ashe
I help manage the Metropolitan Cross Country League (https://metleague.run/) that sounds very similar in terms of number of races, etc.

We have been using barcode scanning over the past few years, and after some changes we made to the size and position of the barcode, we have zero read/scan issues across all 5 fixtures, 8 races per fixtures and almost 1,000 runners per fixture, even when they have been crumpled up. Therefore, I suggest going down this route rather than handheld RFID. 

We now have a large barcode down the side rather than a standard-size barcode, and this is why we don't have any issues. We are using Inateck barcode scanners that can be corrected to the phone via Bluetooth.

Correct Number.jpg

We currently don't use WebScorer for the results for this league, but I do use it for other events, where we also use barcodes for the finishers.

James

Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages