Timing is everything when it comes to racing and 1 local runner has a system for that – Poughkeepsie Journal

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In life, they say, timing is everything. The same can be said for road races. Literally.

A well-timed race — one in which accurate results are posted in a timely manner — is not only expected by runners but it’s an essential element to a positive road race experience. With the advent of chip timing two decades ago, not only do we expect results to be posted almost instantaneously, there is also an expectation from our friends and family that they’ll be able to track a runner’s progress on the course in real time. Most big-city marathons have such technology, usually with an app to go with it.

Locally, in Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and Shawangunk Runners races, the sophistication of such systems is not always accessible. Some smaller races still rely on old-school methods like tear-off tags from the bib numbers. Despite this, though, the modern runner still holds the high expectation of instant gratification: What’s my time? What’s my place? Did I win an age group award? What were my splits (if available via timing mats on the course)?

Enter Christopher Regan. The long-distance runner and racer from Wappingers Falls is doing a marvelous job of bridging the gap by providing highly accurate and very fast timing in local races. He and his nascent timing company, Mid Hudson Timing, has made the investment in equipment to make it happen.

“Accurate timing is of the utmost importance to me,’’ Regan said. “As a runner, I know how important it is to have a proper time quickly. When things go right, it’s super easy, relaxed and just generally great.”

Regan got involved with timing when he started becoming a more active member of the Ulster County-based Shawangunk Runners.

“They had a timing system, but it was outdated and prone to problems that caused me a lot of problems post-race,’’ he said. “The Agee Race Timing System was a low-cost entry point I was able to talk them into getting. Once they got that, I started buying more stuff to increase the runner benefits that I like at races. Tens of thousands of dollars later and things have been working well, and I enjoy being able to offer local races a great experience at a lower cost.’’

Timing software is programmed by human beings, and the timing systems are monitored by highly intelligent and skilled humans like Regan. Yet, human error is still a factor, one that Regan tries to minimize.

At the recent Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie Big Run, which had close to 300 finishers at the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, there were a few minor issues that Regan was able to resolve quickly. But Regan was quick to admit there is a little bit of “freaking out in the moment,’’ until the issues are resolved.

At the Big Run, Regan said runners who had bib numbers above 10300 did not have their chips programmed properly, and he took the blame for that. There was also an issue of a runner not appearing in the results. A video camera backup at the finish line resolved that dilemma.

Again, as in real life, backup systems and contingency plans are all part of the game. Regan cited common roadblocks to timing success, such as: software crashing, people wearing their bibs on their backs, people wearing their bibs under their clothes, foul weather and simple human error by Regan himself. In an effort to alleviate most of these, tried-and-true, old-school backup systems come into play. Some examples: writing down bib numbers of runners as they come in, or pulling tags along with using a stopwatch or Seiko timer.

Regan’s skills are in high demand, locally and now beyond. He has branched out to regional events, such as the New England Challenge. This challenge consists of six full/half marathons in six states in six days. The challenge there for Regan, other than 12-hour timing days, was traveling to the next destination each day.

Regan is a one-man crew. He has basic timing setup instructions he’ll provide to people who time Shawangunk Runners races when he is not available.

“I’ll be honest and say I’m kind of a lone wolf when it comes to doing stuff like this,’’ he said. “I know how I want it done and it’s just easier for me to do it on my own. Plus, then I don’t have to worry about others breaking things by accident; if it breaks, it’s my fault.”

He added: “Timing is easy for me as I’m pretty good when it comes to computers and programs. If things work properly, it’s really easy. If things go wrong, you need to be able to think and understand how everything is working to properly figure it out.’’

Regan’s interest in race support is expanding. He said one of his passions is making awards and medals for local races. He said locally grown awards can give events an added “local feel,” which is important. He’s also exploring another area of great importance to running events: accurate course measurements. For now, though, when he’s not running in races himself, he’s devoting his time to the vital work of timing races.

The recently completed twosome race at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Staatsburg featured 106 runners on an early Friday evening. The unique event, to benefit Hyde Park Teachers Association scholarship fund, features two-person teams. Each runner completes a 1.5-mile loop, with the first runner handing off to the second runner. The combine time determines the team placement.

Top teams this year: Chase Marino and Nicholas Moffitt (men, 17:35); Jordan Stern and Shawn Stern (women, 22:18); Gil Anderson and Cynthia Petrovits (co-ed, 22:22). Anderson is a fixture in the Hyde Park running scene, having participated in local road races for the past five decades; Petrovits is a longtime teacher at Roosevelt High School.

Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club member Pete Colaizzo, the track coach at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, writes on running every week in Players. He can be reached at runhed246@hotmail.com. For more club information, go to www.mhrrc.org