WARSAW – On Dec. 5, Kosciusko Runners Association will cross its own finish line.

On Dec. 3, KRA will do the timing for Run for the Heart 5K for the Sacred Heart School. After ten years as a not-for-profict, KRA will no longer offer their services as previously done. The first three years they timed races by a hand-held timer. The last seven years they used electronic timing called Radio Frequency Identification System, where timing chips had to be returned. Those are still used in water events.

KRA has now upgraded to a new timing system titled Ultra High Frequency.

“Timing has coming a long way in the last ten years,” said KRA director Bill Crane.

Ultra RFID uses a small electronic tag that is attached behind the bib number and is disposable.
The equipment will be sold to other professional timers and the proceeds will go to local charities that have already been determined.

Tens of thousands have been raised by local charities the first four years of electronic timing. But with an increase in events and runner turnout, charities have been able to bring in about a quarter million dollars each year of the last three years.

“This has been the greatest blessing to all of the staff of KRA,” said Mary Crane.

The second half of KRA’s mission statement is equally important to KRA. It says the organization wants to ‘men and women young and old to have healthier lifestyles’ by getting out and running, walking, cycling or swimming.

“Wow, the stories I could tell of little kids or older people who have gained new health because of the many events offered in this community,” Bill Crane said. “KRA has grown way beyond our imaginations. And with it has come many blessings, but it is also very wearing on both me and my family. KRA was in need of more volunteers that could not be found.”