PHOTOPHILE- Chips ahoy!: 10-miler goes high tech

On your mark, get set, go!

The words might sound familiar, but the runners got off to a unique start this year at the 31st annual Charlottesville 10 Miler.

Chips were placed directly on participants' shoes to track when they crossed the start and finish lines, allowing for accurate race times and a more relaxed start.

Benefiting Madison House, UVA's giant all-purpose volunteer group, the race featured hundreds of men and women who gathered at U-Hall early Saturday morning, April 1.

With warm temperatures under sunny skies, runners tracked through university grounds, past the Rotunda to downtown Charlottesville and back. The area's oldest race of its kind happens each year with the support of local sponsors and volunteers and families and friends of the runners.

Dana Coons was the fastest woman with a time of 59:53, and Jeff Eggleston won the men's division with a time of 51:50. About 1900 runners crossed the finish line with the little chips intact.

The start

Jesse Rappole placed 5th in the men's competition.

Jeff Eggleston won the men's division.

A volunteer removes a time-tracking chip.

Volunteers help a runner after her finish.

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