TTK

The Entry Blank Presents: Terms to Know

5k: A race that is approx. 3.1 miles long.

10k: A race that is approx. 6.1 miles long.

25k: A race that is approx. 15.5 miles long.

Bib: The paper with your number on it. You should pin this to your shirt to avoid being mistaken for a bandit.

Bandit: A person who runs a race without paying.

Chip/timing chip: The little plastic chip that should be tied to your shoelace if a race is chip timed. Recently, disposable chips have been invented. They curl around your shoelace and attach in a “D” shape. Instructions for putting them on are on the chip.

Chip start: If you have a chip on your shoe and there is a mat on the ground at the start (sometimes this looks more like a plastic cover), there is likely going to be a chip start. In this case, your time begins when the chip on your shoe crosses the mat.

Chip time: Your official race time if there is a chip start; usually listed separately from the gun time on the results from larger races.

Flopper: A person who throws themselves down to the ground after crossing the finish line of the race. The flop will be very dramatic and usually unnecessary.

Gun start/chip time: If you have a chip on your shoe but there is no mat at the starting line, your time begins when the gun goes off. Your time ends when the chip on your shoe crosses the mat at the finish line.

Gu: An energy gel product, usually used during longer races (not 5ks)

Gun time: The time it took you to finish a race from when the gun went off until you crossed the finish mat; usually listed on the results for larger race.

Gun start: If you don’t have a timing chip on your shoe, the race will have a gun start. At the finish, volunteers will take the bottom half of your number off and put it on a stick. Someone else will be standing by with a ticker tape to record your time as your finish. In this case, your time begins when the gun goes off.

Half marathon: A race that is approx. 13.1 miles long

Marathon: A race that is approx 26.2 miles long

Number: Your number for a race. Never race with someone else’s number.

Packet: The bag containing your chip (if applicable), your number, your race shirt, and various promotional materials.

Packet pick-up: The place where you pick up your packet before a race.

PR: A personal record. Your fastest time at any given distance or event.

Running shoes: Shoes made for running. If you’re going to run, you should have some.

Safety pins: The small pins used to pin your bib to your shirt.

Splits: Times for a given interval; i.e., mile splits. These are sometimes recorded at larger races, but oftentimes in a longer race different intervals will be recorded (10k, 5k, etc.)

Starting line: The place where a race starts.

More terms added as I think of them.