With so many timing tag options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best suited for you and your event. With Athlinks Services on your side, pairing the right tag with your already incredible ChronoTrack software and hardware is as easy as 1, 2, 3. We’re here every step of the way, from start to finish, helping you decide which of our tags is most appropriate for your event type, size, and location.
Below you will find a short guide that includes a description of all the timing tags offered with Athlinks Services, as well as our recommendation (based on experience, of course!) for which tag is best suited of any given event(s).
UHF RFID Tags
All our (non-active) timing tags take advantage of UHF RFID technology to provide industry standard results that Timers and Athletes around the world have come to enjoy and rely upon. ChronoTrack timing tags provide an eco-friendly choice for all participants looking to improve their carbon footprint. All three tags are recyclable or landfill safe and reduce secondary impact by scaling back the resources needed for distribution and collection. 
B-Tag (Bib Tag) – The ChronoTrack Systems B-Tag is a perfect option for any size event looking for a simple, cost effective solution for providing their participants a time. The B-Tag is the future of timing and a throwback to the simpler days of racing when a bib number was the only required means of tracking. The B-Tag is a thin paper strip that is attached to the back of the Athlete’s bib.
- Simple for Athletes to use
- No post-race collection
- Simple for Race Directors and Event Staff to distribute at packet pickup
- No fees for lost tags or unreturned tags
- Eliminates chip file by matching tag numbers to bib numbers
- Allows Volunteers to be used in another capacities, rather than collecting chips
- Reduces potential for human error
- Recyclable
Best Suited For: Road races, trail runs, fun-runs, Holiday 5K’s, etc.
D-Tag (Shoe Tag) – The D-Tag is similar to a laminated paper strip that is looped around Athlete’s shoelaces in the shape of the letter D. The D-Tag has revolutionized the competitor experience by removing the hassle of chip collection and unwanted fees for unreturned chips.
- Simple for Race Directors and Event Staff to distribute at packet pickup
- No fees for lost tags or unreturned tags
- Eliminates chip file by matching tag numbers to bib numbers
- No post-race collection
- Removes need for Race # or Bib
- Allows Volunteers to be used in another capacity, rather than collecting chips
- Lower price point per tag
- Customizable for marketing opportunities
- Recyclable
Best Suited For: Road races, trail runs, fun-runs, holiday 5K’s, etc.
Tri Tag – The Tri-Tag carries the same powerful UHF RFID tags as the B-Tag and D-Tag but in a user-friendly compact plastic shell. The innovative plastic shell can be attached to the competitor with a single-use strap or neoprene strap.
- Simple for Race Directors and Event Staff to distribute at packet pick-up
- No fees for lost tags or unreturned tags
- Eliminates chip file by matching tag numbers to bib numbers
- No post-race collection
- Removes need for Race # or Bib
- Allows Volunteers to be used in another capacity, rather than collecting chips
- Single or reusable
- Lower price point per Tag
- Customizable for marketing opportunities
- Recyclable
Best Suited For: Triathlons, swimming events, other endurance sports where water and/or mud may be a factor
Active Tags
Active timing solutions can quickly become cost prohibitive for many Timers, leading you to try lower-cost options on the market in attempt to meet more demanding needs. This can often lead to lower read rates. ChronoTrack Active Tags provide increased accuracy, regardless of environmental factors, meaning accurate results for your Athletes. Our Active Timing solution is configured to land between the available high-end and low-end of transponders, meeting the needs of the bulk of the market, at a more reasonable price.
The orange Active Tags are custom-made for ChronoTrack, with a unique configuration and hardware built specifically for the needs of our partners. Set-up takes minutes with a simple, small active extension box that connects to your MiniTrack Controller, replacing antennas and mats with a loop wire that collects reads from the tags worn by the participants. This allows the hardware to tie directly into our current software infrastructure.
For more information on what makes ChronoTrack Active tags a game changer, check out its dedicated page at Athlinks Services. For more information about purchasing and rental options, reach out to your Regional Sales Manager today.
Best Suited For: Triathlons, mud-runs obstacle events, extreme weather events, and cycling races
Did You Know?
In June 2008, our first official month of tag-selling, we sold a total of 140,000 tags to our ChronoTrack Timing Partners. By the end of 2019, the total number of tags sold to date is projected to be over 130 million.
Allow Athlinks Services to help take your events to the next level by choosing the best timing solutions for YOU. From start to finish, our timing tags will enhance the quality of each and every race experience, from your Race Director to your Athletes, and everyone in between. Contact your Account Manager today to start the conversation about which tags you’ll be using at your next event!
