Timer Table Responsibilities

The timer table is the traffic controller for the meet. The volunteers who man the table are responsible for recording the start and finish times for participants, limiting congestion on the course by controlling access, and monitoring the return of all participants from the course. The timer table provides the map(s) and makes sure each participant is prepared before sending them out onto the course. The timer table also grades each participant’s control card and records the results. Volunteers are appointed by the meet director to man the timer table and are not excused unless by the meet director. The specific responsibilities of the timer table volunteers are outlined below:

1. Record entry of participants.
Each participant reports to the timer table after checking in at the registration table. The timer table enters the name of each participating individual or team into an event log along with the name of the course they will be running.

2. Ensure participants are prepared to enter the course.
The timer table will ensure each individual or team member is carrying a whistle and compass, has read the setter’s notes for the course they are running, and are aware of the safety bearings in case they become lost or need to immediately exit the course. The timer table will also keep the participants informed to their start times and provide occasional minute and second warnings as their assigned start time draws near.

3. Provide maps to participants.
The timer table will provide maps to each participant for the course they are running. Competitors may not receive the map until their assigned start time. The map will be kept face down on the table until they are released onto the course. Recreational participants may receive and view the map as soon as they are logged in at the timer table and prior to entering the course.

4. Send participants out onto the course.
Once the course opens the timer table will direct the entry of each participant onto the course. In order to limit congestion and avoid following the below guidelines will be observed when scheduling participant start times. These guidelines are listed in order of importance:

a. When possible, start times will be set according to course in a sequential or round-robin fashion.
Example: blue, red, green, brown, orange, yellow, white, blue …

b. When possible, start times will alternate between recreational participants and competitors
Example: competitor, recreational, competitor, recreational …

c. A minimum of 1 minute will separate the start times of participants running different courses.
Example: competitor blue (12:00), recreational red (12:01), competitor green (12:02), recreational brown (12:03) …

d. A minimum of 2 minutes will separate start times of participants running the same course.
Example: competitor green (12:00), recreational green (12:02), competitor green (12:04), recreational green (12:06) …

5. Record start time of participants.
The start time of all participants entering the course will be recorded in the event log.

6. Record finish time of participants.
The finish time of all participants returning from the course will be recorded in the event log.

7. Grade the control card.
The control card of each course participant will be compared against the master course control card (provided by the course setter), and any mismatches will be marked on the participant’s control card. Penalties will be administered according to the course type and/or course setter instructions.

a. Sequential courses (classic): Any incorrect or missing control punch will result in a DNF (Did Not Finish) result.

b. Non-sequential courses (score-o, rogaine): An incorrect or missing control punch will result in zero points for that control.

8. Record total course completion time.
The elapsed time between the recorded start and finish will be calculated and recorded for each competitor. The total times for recreational participants may be calculated upon request but will not be recorded.

9. Close the course to new starts.
The timer table will close the course to new starts at a time designated by the course setter and/or meet director. At this time, no one will be allowed to begin a new course.

10. Close the course and administer late penalties.
A late penalty will be assessed for each competitor who returns after the designated course closure time. The late penalty will be determined by the course setter.
Example: 10 point deduction for each minute past course closure.

11. Monitor the return of all participants from the course and report any overdue.
The timer table will account for all participants who entered the course and report to the meet director any who have failed to return once the course has closed. The timer table will keep the meet director updated as late participants return.