The FINISH made simple!

The Wilmslow Half Marathon continues to be larger than ever each year - so it's important that all runners understand how they can help the finish run smoothly...

FUNNEL SYSTEM EXPLAINED

During the peak finishing period runners are finishing at a rate faster than one per second. It clearly isn't possible to write down every race number as each runner crosses the line and so like many large races we use the 'funnel' recording system.

As you cross the finish line your time is recorded and rope is used to guide you into a funnel lane for your race number to be recorded. Race numbers are recorded three times as you pass along the funnel to help minimise mistakes.

As each funnel lane fills up with runners subsequent runners are guided into the next funnel and then the next etc.

Checks are made to ensure that race numbers and times remain synchronised.

THE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR RUNNERS TO REMEMBER...

• Keep moving after crossing the finishing line into the finishing funnels, otherwise runners finishing behind you end up backed over the finish line or, they run into the finishing funnels ahead of you and end up being allocated your faster time and you would be allocated their slower time.
• Stay in the same order that you finished until your number has been recorded three times.
  
• Ensure that your race number is clearly visible to the funnel recorders.
  
• DON'T SWAP FUNNELS. Stay in the funnel into which you have been directed (Runners swapping funnels seriously slows down the production and affects the accuracy of race results)
  
• After exiting the funnels please move away from the area at the end of the funnels. Lots of runners chatting at the end of the funnels tends to block the exits for subsequent finishers.

If everyone follows the above instructions it helps the finish run smoothly and assists the organisers to produce accurate results more quickly.

Best of luck to all runners in the race.