Multisport: Ottawa's SportStats Wins Timing Contract for Ironman Hawaii

It was announced Monday that Marc Roy of Sportstats, an Ottawa Ontario based company which provides timing for 160 road races, duathlons and triathlons, has won the bidding to provide results for the World Ironman Triathlon championships in Hawaii from 2004 through 2006.

The bidding process was opened up to all in December of 2003. Bidders included an Hawaiian company which uses the same ChampionChip technology as SportStats.

SportStats experience, including the facts that they have timed all Ironman North America Events since 1997 and have timed over 23 Ironman events already, was considered to be the key factor in winning the contract.

Previously a company from Colorado did the timing for the past 3-4 years.

In addition to the value of the contract there is added value for SportStats in the prestige of doing this event. Ironman Hawaii (vnews.ironmanlive.com) is basically the most prestigious Triathlon Worldwide.

SportStats will be timing another large event, a 10,000+ participant race in Toronto, on the same weekend.

Roy will be heading to Hawaii a week before the race which takes place on October 16th.

The boom in the numbers of participants in running and triathlon has created a demand for timing services and there are currently about 60 timing companies in the USA using the ChampionChip technology and 6 in Canada. Nearly all major races contract out the registration and timing processes.

The Runner's Web caught up with Marc Roy to ask him about this win and SportStats.

Runner's Web(RW): You must be excited about winning this high profile contract?

Marc Roy(MR): It's the Super Bowl of Ironman. We're elated."

RW: Will this have an impact on your current company structure? Will you have to hire any new people to do this job?

MR: This will not have an impact on the current structure. We have 12 part time staff in place to handle up to 10 races on the same weekend. The one thing we did is start a new US company in Delaware in 2002. So the contract will be with our US based company.

RW: How long have you had Sportstats?

MR: I have been working with Sportstats since 1993 and purchased the company in 1996.

RW: Did you anticipate the business growing as much as it has?

MR: Actually we have been anticipating this year to year as we have had a steady growth right from day one starting with 50 events in 1996 and now 160 events in 2004. We have ensured over the years that we did not grow too quickly. Our Main goal was to keep providing a quality service to our events. In fact, we could easily have 250 events on calendar at this time.
But we have decided to allow another timing company in Hamilton to get the ChampionChip technology since they have worked together with us in the past. If SportStats cannot time an event, we will forward the information to that company and vice versa. We also help each other on some events with equipment rental etc.

RW: What are the best and worst things about running a timing company?

MR: The best is we get to do what we love. I have a triathlon background; I used to do a lot of racing from 1998 to 1993. Now that I am able to work in something directly related, its great.
The worst would be having to work every weekend from April to November and also the stress involved.

RW: Has the technology changed much over your years with Sportstats?

MR: The major change has been the arrival of ChampionChip in 1998. This was a huge investment for us and it paid off. In 2005, 100% of our clients will be using the technology. There have been other technology improvements regarding transponder timing but ChampionChip is still the best available. AMB is a new technology that was introduced a few years back and works using an active transponder so mats are not needed at the finish line. You only need a small wire. The drawback is cost; each transponder is worth over $120CND so for mass events this is cost prohibitive. We also tested the DAG system (chip inside bib number) this winter and found that it was not within legal specifications (frequency).
The internet has also changed over the years with our ability to provide Live Results and SMS messaging. All of our laptops are equipped with wireless air cards so we are able to put results on the internet before leaving the event so they are on our site before participants get back home.
This technology has also allowed us to communicate between events happening the same day so we are always in direct link with our events. In the future I think I will be able to time an event sitting in my office in Ottawa!

RW: How many events are you scheduled for in 2004?

MR: Over 160 events.

About SportStats:
Professional Computerized Finish Line Timing And Results
Sportstats is the largest timing company in Canada with over 160 events every year. They are the official timing company for Ironman Canada, Ironman USA Lake Placid, Ironman Florida, Ironman Coeur d'Alene and Ironman California. We are also involved with major events such as the National Capital Race Weekend, Canadian International Marathon, Quebec & Casino Niagara Marathons.

Complete Event Portfolio.

Their events :
Running Events, X-Country Running & Skiing
Triathlons, Duathlons & Multi-Sport Events
12-24 hour events (with automated lap counting and display, requires no volunteers)
Cycling, Mountain Biking & In-Line Skating
Corporate & Team Relays

Their Services :
State of the art timing system called the ChampionChip
New for 2003: Wireless Internet access at 90% of the events = Results on the web during or right after your event.
Fast accurate results posted while race in progress
Reliable with experienced bilingual staff, newest equipment and backup system
Live Internet Coverage during the event available with search engine
Overall, Age Divisions, Special Categories, Teams, Relays, Certificates, Mailing Labels
5 Digital Display Clock available on request (1 included in contract)
Lap counting for different events
Custom On-Line Registration services for all types of events

Visit their website at: www.sportstats.ca.