We are very excited to launch the annual Alan Jones Timer Award to recognize an industry race timer who has clearly made an impact on improving the race industry.
See the official press release here.
Overview
As the backbone of the race industry, timers have the opportunity to guide race organizers toward innovation and elevate the experience for participants and spectators. The Alan Jones Timer Award is intended to showcase those who have proactively contributed to the race community.
Alan Jones, Inventor of the Jones Counter and Founder of RunScore
The Alan Jones Timer Award is named after Alan Jones in honor of his significant contributions to the endurance racing and timing community. These contributions include:
Jones Counter – This is the device Alan invented in 1971 to measure courses accurately. Alan’s son, Clain Jones, spent many years of his youth to help propel this industry standard by manufacturing and selling Jones Counters – from age of nine to 18 years old. It became and continues to be the standard device used for all USATF and IAAF Course Certification and Olympic Marathons.
RunScore – Alan first scored a race in 1970 in real-time with a terminal connected to an IBM Mainframe and used this system to score the New York State Cross Country meet in 1973. RunScore debuted in October 1985 and six months later 31 timers were actively using the product. Since then, RunScore has been the premier scoring software and has provided results to more finishers than any other software in the industry.
Age Grading – Alan developed and maintained age grading with Rex Harvey of the World Masters Athletics.
Runner, Race Director, Timer and Running Club Founder and President – Alan has been involved with running since high school, and has applied this personal knowledge to improve the sport at every level.
Recognition
The winner of the Alan Jones Timer Award will be announced at RunSignup’s annual Summer Symposium.
The awarded timer will receive:
- Public Recognition
- Award Plaque with Mounted Jones Counter
- Travel Expense Coverage to Attend RunSignup’s Annual Summer Symposium
Nominations
Due by June 1, 2019
If you would like to nominate a timer, please include the following information:
Subject: Alan Jones Timer Award Nomination
Nominee Information:
First, Last Name:
Company Name:
Company Web URL:
Why you feel he/she deserves award? Specifically, describe the impact this person has made to either a specific race or the race community. Examples of how this person impacted the community are welcome.
What is your affiliation to the nominee? Have you personally experienced the impact this person has made on the race community?
Send Nominations To:
shelly at runsignup.com
bob.bickel at runsignup.com
alanjones at runscore.com
Selection
All are able to nominate a timer that they feel deserve recognition. Selection is based on the overall impact the timer has had on their customer’s races, the participants in those races, the overall endurance community, and the timer community.
Award limited to one timer per year.
