To ensure the accuracy of your time during the Trapline Marathon, event timing is handled by Atlantic Chip using the Champion Chip system.

ChampionChip is a miniature transponder. The device contains a chip in combination with an energizing coil. For running races, the ChampionChip is attached to the runner's shoelace. There are no batteries in the ChampionChip. The transponder is passive until moved into a magnetic field, generated by a send antenna. Here the energizing coil produces an electric current to power the chip. The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna. The whole procedure takes approximately 60 milliseconds and is repeated continuously.

The send and receive antennas are cast in thin tartan mats. These antenna mats are placed at the finish line and other timing locations. They are connected to a Yellow Box at the side of the road, containing electronics and batteries. Each time an athlete wearing a ChampionChip crosses the mats, the chip gets energized and sends out its ID-number. This number and corresponding time are then stored in the Yellow Box and transferred to a timing computer for further processing.

The following information was adopted from the Champion Chip Web Site.