Chip Timing Information

With the exception of "fun run" participants, all entrants in the 5K, 10K, and half marathon will be timed using disposable D chips. You will receive your timing chip at packet pick-up. Chips are not available at the starting line.

How to use the D Chip!

Before you start

Wear your chip on your shoe. Tear the active part of the chip off, bend it carefully (don't fold it!) and insert it under your shoe laces, and stick it together. Be sure the chip is stuck together well.

MAKE SURE you are wearing YOUR chip - if you mixed yours up with someone, well guess what - that person will get your race time, and you'll get theirs!

During the race

Make sure you run over the activator pads on the road at the starting line and at the finish line. Do not run around the pads, or you won't get timed!

Don't jump over the line, or stomp on it, just run normally, and it will read you.

After the race

You do not need to turn in the D chip, so you don't have to worry about removing it right after you finish, but we encourage you to remove it and place it in a recycle bucket near the end of the chute area so that we can recycle them.

How it works

Your chip works like ID badges at work - it has a unique magnetic code imbedded into it. The pads you cross over emit a magnetic field. When the magnet in your chip sweeps across the magnetic field of the pad, a unique disruption to the field is created than can be registered by receivers in the pad. It's called telemetrics. It's also how Mobil "Speed Passes" work.

First your personal race data is loaded into a computer and matched to your unique chip ID.

As you cross the actuator device at the starting line, your exact starting time is loaded into the computer "ear" via electro-magnetic waves. The same thing happens at the finish line. The starting line times are all transmitted to the results center via cell phones data transfer.

The difference between these two times is your exact finish time for the race. The chip was first used in competition in '94 Berlin Marathon, & in the U.S. in '96 in L.A.

Remember, Chips are NOT available at the starting lines so please remember to bring your chip!

Rules of the Road

We try not to impose too darn many rules for our participants, but we need to have a few:

**The following things are NOT ALLOWED on the course:**

Strollers are not allowed in the Half Marathon as of 2010.
(They are allowed in the 5K and 10K.)
Wheel chairs of any sort are NOT allowed on the 5K course.
(Bird Road is a too steep. They are allowed in the 10K & Half Marathon.)
Pets of any kinda are not allowed
(dogs, cats, gerbilles, snakes, etc).
Bikes are NOT allowed (except HVA & lead bikes).
Rollerblades or roller-skates are NOT allowed.
Unregistered runners or walkers are NOT allowed.
(They will be escorted off the course.)

**The following things ARE ALLOWED on the course:**

Wheel chairs are allowed on the 10K & half marathon courses.
(Sorry, but wheelers must provide their own transportation to the starting line.)
Strollers are allowed on the 5K and 10K courses only. Please be courteous and start near the back.
5K participants pushing strollers need to BE CAREFUL on Bird Road.
(Please see the starting line protocol if using a stroller.)
Personal MP3 players are tolerated but strongly discouraged!
(Use of headphones when running in public is never advised for safety reasons.
Similarly they are not advised in the Dexter-Ann Arbor run, but if you insist on
being anti-social, you can use them if you choose.)

Busing protocol

Plan to arrive early: Buses are limited and we can’t take everyone at the same time. You need to expect a line when you arrive and plan for that in your morning schedule.
Long lines: Nobody likes waiting in line, but we try to manage the buses as best we can. Please be courteous to volunteers and other runners.
Half marathon: Runners need to arrive early enough to catch a bus to the half marathon starting line. You must be in line by 7:30 AM to be assured of making to the starting line on time. It is an ~20 minute bus ride to Dexter.
10K: New for 2010 10K participants don't need to worry about a bus ride so they don't need to arrive quite as early. You can still drop off your gear in a plastic bag under the Ann Street parking structure.
5K: participants for the 5K are encouraged to walk or jog the ~1.5 miles to Forsythe Middle School (on Newport Road) as a warm-up. Buses are provided, but service may be somewhat limited. If you plan to ride the bus, you must be in line by 8:00 AM to be assured of making to the starting line on time. It's an ~5 minute bus ride to Forsythe Middle School.
Return bus service: return shuttles to starting lines are NOT provided, so if you choose to park near a starting line, you will need to arrange your own ride back there after the race.
Strollers: are not encouraged on buses, but strollers that collapse may be able to be transported that way.

Clothing bag protocol

Since most the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run involves point-to-point courses, the DxA2 race crew provides clothing bag transportation service for all races back to the covered parking area (at Ann & Ashley) near the finish line.

Small plastic bags are provided at both staging areas. Clothing bags will be transported back to the finish line on Main Street in Ann Arbor. If you choose to, you can bring your own athletic bag to use for clothing items, but you must label any such bag with your race number.
You should get a bag as soon as you arrive at the staging area, and clearly write your race number on the bag with magic markers provided.
Place any clothing items that you want transported back to the starting line into the bag.
Tie the bag closed.
Drop your bag with the volunteers before you proceed to the starting line of the race.
5K runners may have to wait for the bags to arrive.
DO NOT place car keys, wallets or any valuables in these bags. If you do, they may get lost.
The AATC is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items from clothing bags. We try to marshal the area as well as we can, but we can’t watch everything.
If you forget to pick up your clothing bag, it will be held for you for ~ a month, after which it will be disposed of. You must contact the race director if you forget to retrieve your clothing bag. You will need to arrange to pick it up at a time of mutual convenience. Lost bags will NOT be mailed back to people.

Starting line protocol

Line up according to pace: please try to line up according to your expected pace, even if there are NOT pace signs posted. Slower runners should always start towards the rear of the field. Walkers should always start at the back of the pack!
No pushing: please do not push or overcrowd at the start. Remember, the race is chip timed so the time it takes to cross the starting line is not counted into your actual finish time. (The pace clocks start with the starting gun, however, so they may be a bit off from your actual time depending on how long it takes you to cross the starting line after the gun goes off.)
Strollers: Running can be a great family event, so we allow strollers. 5K runners need to be careful going down the hill on Bird Road. For the 10K PLEASE be careful and courteous on the out and back loop where it gets crowded. No one likes getting run over by an overly aggressive stroller pusher. People pushing a stroller should start toward the rear of the starting line pack. If you're a fast runner with a stroller – at least start back far enough to let the faster runners get going without having to work around you in the tight starting pack.

Minimum mile pace for the half marathon: 13 minutes

Due to road closures limitations, there is a minimum allowed pace of 13 minutes per mile for the half marathon. We must clear Huron River Drive by 11:20 AM. Based on the starting time, this requires a 13 minute per mile pace be maintained. If you cannot make this pace for the entire 13.1 mile race, you should not attempt the half marathon, but are encouraged to sign up for the 10K or the 5K.

If I’m not sure I can keep the minimum pace, should I attempt the half marathon?

No, please try the 10K or 5K instead. (see below)

What if I start the half marathon but fall behind the 13 minute pace?

If you are on the half marathon course but can’t keep up with the minimum pace, the Sheriff’s patrol car that brings up the rear of the race will pass you, and you will be required to move to the side of the road, as you will be subject to normal road traffic. Also, you also can not be assured that you will receive any aid station service if you are behind the minimum pace, as the stations may be closed before you arrive. Finally, depending on traffic conditions, you may be required to exit the half marathon course on Bird Road. If this occurs, you are still eligible to complete the race by taking Bird to Newport to Miller to Main. This route will add ~1/4 mile additional distance to the course, and a large hill up Bird Road, and will not be covered with any aid stations. We only guarantee that the finish line will be staffed until 11:30 AM based on an 8:50 AM race starting time, so if you fall behind the minimum pace, you may not be eligible to receive an official race time or a finisher medal even if you complete the course after that time.

What if I start one of the races but can’t finish?

If you are on the half marathon course but find that you can’t finish the race for any reason other than requiring medical treatment, the DxA2 staff does provide limited sag-wagon service. You will need to find someone associated with the race (aid station volunteer or police/sheriff, etc) who can call the race director and report your location. The race director will then send a vehicle to assist you back to the finish line area. If you feel you may need medical treatment, please make someone aware of this and we will get help as quickly as possible. (see below)

What if I need medical assistance on the course?

Minor injuries: All aid stations have a first aid kit with band-aids and the like. If you have a minor injury and can make it to an aid station, check with someone there for assistance.

Major injuries: If you are stricken with an injury or affliction on the course that requires medical assistance, if possible, alert other runners and request that they report your condition and location to a race support personnel (police/sheriff or a race volunteer) who will then send medical personnel to assist you. Huron Valley Ambulance service is on call at the finish line of the race. Huron Valley Ambulance personnel will also be out patrolling the course on bicycles during the race (primarily the half marathon course), but they cannot cover the entire course and supervise all participants. Help from other runners or spectators may be required. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

Aid station protocol:

Please try to throw your empty cup into one of the trash cans positioned on the side of the road.
Please empty your cup before you throw it into the trash.
If you can’t hit a trash can, try to toss your cup to the shoulder of the road, but NOT into the ditch!
Remember to thank the aid station volunteers!

Runner’s Trash on the Course

Runners seem to discard lots of empty Gu packets along the course.
We will provide a small trash can near every mile marker.
Please try to throw any trash you might have into one of these cans.
We clean the course before and after the race to keep it clean for everyone.
Your help is appreciated!

General Race Protocol

Don't arrive late and expect to make it to the starting line on time on a bus.
Don't leave valuables in a clothing bag dropped off at the start.
Don't cut people off at the start or during the race.
Try not to run so hard you keel-over or throw-up.
Consider the heat for fluid consumption.
Use the porti-johns whenever possible if need be.
Remember to remove your chip at the finish line.
Be courteous to the race volunteers and other runners (even faster ones).
Try hard, and enjoy yourself!
Come back every year!