Timed starts

[70plus]

At the risk of sounding granny-like, may I advise any just-in-time specialists to keep a few minutes in hand for a timed (non-punching) start - such as those used at the recent JK and other major events?

I got to the Start at Craig a Barns with several minutes to spare; most of those were spent trying to clear my SI-card. After several attempts - and causing delay to others - the official provided a backup Clear box, which worked as normal, just as my start-time was being called. It would seem that the Clear station on display was tired or using out-of-date software. I don't know whether many others were inconvenienced, but this should not happen if it means that runners may suffer a time penalty.

Any comments?

[andy]

It would seem that the Clear station on display was tired or using out-of-date software.

I can assure you that neither would have been the case. You did the right thing in asking a start marshal. If your SI card hadn't worked there will have been spares at the start for just this eventuality.

Also, start times are not rigid when things out of your control cause you to miss them. Had you not been able to sort out your SI card issue so easily at the start area you would have been given a punching start.