Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Newton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 1991, my husband (Tony) was friends with our local running store owner. We were asked to help volunteer with a running event they were hosting. We said yes.
At the event, both Tony and I realized that there had to be an easier way to time a running race. At that time, we had to manually pull a tag off the runner and match the color coding up to provide age and sex awards.
The store owner said he had a computer program that scores races, but he didn’t know how it worked. We took it and learned how to use it. We have since used computers to score races. Once we started scoring this way, other race directors asked us to time their events. Our current system is ChronoTrack which uses an RFID tag on the number that gets read by the equipment placed on the ground. Times are automatically sent to the scoring software, and results are provided live online.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Timing and scoring races have evolved greatly over the years. Not only were we early adapters of the changes, which typically would call for a great learning curve, but the participants would also have to learn the different ways we would need them to comply. Things such as having the participants stay single file in line at the finish line to have their tag pulled, evolving to tying an RFID chip on their shoe, which had to be returned once they crossed the finish line to the current system of attaching a disposable tag to the back of a race number which is disposable and doesn’t have to be returned.
We’ve been impressed with Newton Timing & Race Services, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a family-owned race timing company. We provide timing and results for running, walking, cycling, triathlons, stair climbs, mud runs, rollerblading, etc… Some of our events include(d) the biggest point-to-point mountain bike race, the largest gravel road race, and the stair climb up the Space Needle.
Race participants enjoy an enhanced race experience. Our timing system (ChronoTrack Live) features a rich and socially integrated race platform that allows us to offer online registration, disposable bib-tag timing, SMS results messaging, live- online race results, plus the very popular searchable results with athlete photos and video.
Our results platform is directly connected to the world’s largest online results-holding platform (Athlinks), so your results are immediately posted, which can be claimed under your own race profile.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Know what your customer wants and be flexible.
Contact Info:
- Website: newtontiming.com
- Instagram: newtontiming
- Facebook: Newton Timing & Race Services
