THE BREAK TAPE — Dave McGillivray

Holding a break tape at the finish of a major (or any) race and what the tape actually looks like is a perfect example of how something seemingly very simple can have huge implications.

Here are a few tips to consider:

First, you need the proper tape itself – it should be double-sided, not too long, not too short, not too narrow, not too wide and not translucent. The verdict is split among race directors about using a breakaway tape—which consists of two pieces held together in the center with velcro—so the winner literally breaks the tape, or tapes that are a single piece so the winner pulls the tape out of the hands of the tape holders. Single piece tapes are slightly more common, but they run the risk of getting tangled in the feet of the runners. If you use velcro, make sure the velcro is firmly attached and not too loose (or it can break before runners hit it) or too tight (the runner won’t be able to break it). Any company that makes banners can most likely also make break tapes if you give them the proper instructions and dimensions.

What is printed on the tape is of extreme value to the race and a race sponsor. Make it simple, clear, repetitive. If the tape is printed on both sides so both the approaching runner can see it and the finish line photographers can see it, make sure the material is opaque, so the lettering on both sides does not show through, and the tape is right-side up.

It is wise to appoint a finish line coordinator who is experienced with holding break tapes and who can instruct those who have been chosen to hold the tape exactly how to do it, even practicing it a few times before the leaders approach the finish line. As shown in the photo below, not having your volunteers fully informed can create problems.

Who holds the tape is a key choice of the race committee. Most races use this aspect of the race as a give back by having a sponsor representative or someone from the race beneficiary or even a high-ranking city official or celebrity hold the tape. If this intricate aspect of the race is done properly, the tape will be one of the most photographed items of the race and thus one of the most significant benefits and value to a sponsor. If the tape is one-sided, make sure the side with the printing is facing the photographers and the tape is right side up. If the tape holders are key sponsor representatives, you will want to make sure that they will appear in the breaktape photos; however you want to make sure they are far enough apart not to have any impact on the winners.

The best way to hold the tape is for the holder not to pull it toward themselves but to hold one hand on the bottom of the tape and the other on the top of the tape so that it is perpendicular to the ground.

If the tape is a two-piece tape (velcro), both holders must hold on to their end and let the runner break the tape or tug on it the moment the runner hits it. If it is a one-piece tape, one holder should hold on to their end and the other holder must let go just as the runner hits the tape. If they both let go, there is the risk that the runner could get it tangled in their legs and even trip on it.

Runners need to be informed that the tape is actually not the “finish line” of the race. Even if someone breaks the tape first, that doesn’t mean they are automatically the winner, as the tape may have not been held exactly over the real finish line itself. USATF rules define the finish line as a perpendicular plane extending up from the leading edge of the transponder mat. Ideally that is where the tape is held, but in the excitement of a photo finish a tape holder may move the tape an inch or two in either direction, which can spell the difference. For this reason, many top-level events use a photo finish camera that can be positioned precisely at the actual finish line to be the final arbiter.

How high you hold the tape off the ground is critical, too, as you want to have it held a little above hip level of the oncoming winner. Given that you do not know how tall the eventual winner is, you have to adjust the height of tape right as the winner is approaching it. Additionally, if you are holding the tape for the wheelchair winners, that too, requires special instructions so it doesn’t end up in their face or tangled in their wheels. A two-part tape (velcro) works well here, since the holders can actually pull the tape in both directions as soon as the wheelchair finisher is about to hit it, thus avoiding any mishaps. In some cases, although a bit awkward, the wheelchair winner is still in a "tuck" position and thus will actually want to go under the tape vs. breaking it. Sometimes you see holders actually lift the tape up over the head of the wheelchair winner and sometimes you see holders actually drop the tape to the ground letting the wheelchair participant actually ride over the tape. This, however, could also be risky.

If you want to hold the tape for the first female and she is surrounded by a lot of male runners, you need to separate her from everyone else well prior to the finish line itself with race marshals lined up in the middle of the road directing runners to one side or the other. Some races will make an attempt to create a lane for the women’s winner, although caution should be taken to make sure any guidance does not affect the outcome of a close finish.

If it is a close finish with multiple runners or wheelchair competitors sprinting for the finish line, it may be best to not even put the tape up at all and get the holders out of the way.

Before the gun fires, do an inventory check as to where the tape is and who will have it in their hands 5-10 minutes before the first finisher arrives. The last thing you want is to be scrambling for it as the winner is kicking down towards the finish line.

Where you hold it on the road at the finish line is a decision that has to be made in advance – under the clock in the center or to one side or the other. For the overall winner, holding it in the center of the road might make sense. For a winner who is embedded within other runners finishing at the same time, holding it to the runner’s left side (or right side) and directing that winner to that side makes sense.

If you are not required to put a sponsor’s logo on the tape or to even date it, you can store it from year-to-year and reuse it, although I personally like seeing which year it is on the tape. Vinyl finish line tapes should cost $75 - $150. It is probably worth ordering two of them and keeping them in separate places. If you roll up or fold your finish line tape and use it the next year, make sure to have it ironed.

When I competed in the World Marathon Challenge, running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents, there were only 50 of us competing, and over a marathon distance we came across the finish line alone most of the time. As such, the organizers held the tape up for every finisher to break, which was pretty neat.

Discussing and planning exact finish line tape procedures in advance with your team is very important. Neglecting to do so could mean a disaster at the finish line for all to see.