Distributed race timing system with real time feedback for participants

A method of race timing, comprising

• A. with a tracking device that is disposed in a vicinity of, and that moves with, a participant in a race taking place on a racecourse, transmitting a first identification signal unique to the participant and/or the tracking device,
• B. with an itinerant checkpoint that disposed in a vicinity of the racecourse, performing the steps of
• i) receiving the first identification signal from the tracking device,
• ii) determining a location a location of the itinerant checkpoint,
• iii) transmitting
• (a) a second identification signal unique to the participant and/or tracking device, where the first and second identification signals may include like identifying information,
• (b) a location of the itinerant checkpoint substantially at a time of its receipt of the first identification signal.

An itinerant checkpoint for a race timing system, the itinerant checkpoint comprising

• A. a receiver that receives a first identification signal from a tracking device that is disposed in a vicinity of, and that moves with, a participant in a race taking place on a racecourse, the tracking device transmitting a first identification signal unique to the participant and/or the tracking device,
• B. a location sensor that determines a location of the itinerant checkpoint,
• C. a transmitter that transmits:
• (i) a second identification signal unique to the participant and/or tracking device, where the first and second identification signals may include like identifying information,
• (ii) a location of the itinerant checkpoint substantially at a time of its receipt of the first identification signal.
• D. wherein the itinerant checkpoint is disposed in a vicinity of the racecourse.