When is a timekeeper’s statement needed?
We require two timekeepers’ statements to be submitted for ALL of our time-dependent records, including those based on duration (e.g. longest marathon performing an activity) as well as those which take place within a specific time frame (e.g. most in one minute). Please note the presence of two timekeepers are in addition to your independent witnesses, the only exceptions we have are for attempts at ‘most times to do X in Y time frame’ records where the time frame is one hour or more. In these circumstances it is acceptable to have the witnesses act as the timekeepers.
For records attempted during organised race events (e.g. ‘Fastest marathon dressed as Santa Claus’) timing must be done using a chronograph activated by photo-electric timing cells positioned at either end of the track. This must be coordinated by an experienced timekeeper. The official race results must be submitted to prove the participants finishing time, or if a timing chip was used, a print out of the results. If these are not available, a letter (on letter-headed paper) from the race organisers stating race number and finishing time will suffice.
What is the role of a timekeeper in a record attempt?
The role of a timekeeper is to ensure that any time related aspects of a record are recorded accurately. This role is crucial in all records based on or dependent on time. These records rely on accurate timekeeping to be done and this cannot be done by the witnesses, as their job is to concentrate on the attempt itself.
If the record is for the ‘Fastest time to’, then the attempt must be timed by two timekeepers with stopwatches accurate to 0.01 seconds. If the two times vary, then the average must be taken as the official time.
If the record is for ‘Most times to do X in Y time frame’, then the specific time frame for the attempt (e.g. one minute) must be timed accurately by two timekeepers with stopwatches accurate to 0.01 seconds. The timekeepers must give a clear start and finish signal to the person attempting the record.
If the time frame is in excess of one hour, the witnesses can act as the timekeepers (see above) but they must explain how they accurately kept the time during the record attempt.
What must the statements include?
A written statement must be provided from the timekeeper. The statement must include:
• The full name and contact details of the timekeeper
• Details regarding their expertise in timekeeping