A small device fitted to runners' shoes will keep track of their every step during the 2007 International Race Weekend, which begins today.

The miniature transponder, ChampionChip, makes its local debut at this evening's KPMG Front Street Mile. The timing device is placed in a specially-designed plastic container and worn on a runner's shoe lace.

When the runner passes specific tracking points along the race route the chip sends a signal to a computer, which records every runner's time from beginning to end.

Director of International Race Weekend Anthony Raynor said it was a welcome addition to the event.

"ChampionChip has been used successfully for many major road races during the last ten years," he said. "I am very excited that we will be using this technology in Bermuda during International Race Weekend for the first time."

The chip was developed in 1993 in the Netherlands. It made its first appearance at the Berlin Marathon in September, 1994. Since then it's been used in big city marathons and Ironman triathlons.

Minister of the Telecommunications Neletha Butterfield said: "We live in a global, digital society where technology impacts every facet of our lives.

"The use of the ChampionChip timing device for the International Race Weekend is a perfect example of one of the Ministry's initiatives — Techtime — which promotes the awareness of technology every day, everywhere for everyone."