Outpeople: Timing is everything for Eric Ewing

Every year, thousands of Inland Northwest competitors register for various outdoor race venues. Whether it be mountain biking, cross country skiing, adventure racing or triathlons, the timing management for these races is often something that people don’t spend a lot of time pondering. It is, however, something that everyone expects to be in place with streaming accessibility and of course, total accuracy.

For Eric Ewing, owner of Spokane-based Nomadz Racing, race timing was not something that he set out to conquer, but somewhere along the way it became his passion. “Timing is something I sort of fell into. I worked in cubicle land for several years until I went to work for an event management company and learned about timing,” said Ewing. “I now have been race timing for 11 years, and it’s a great job… as long as the computer and electronics do what I want them to do!”

Passion is exactly what Ewing feels has set him apart in the field. For him, Nomadz Racing is a full-time job. This allows him to focus on all the prep work leading up to race day, crucial to timing success. “Myself and the rest of the crew have a passion for getting things right, the first time,” said Ewing. “There’s nothing worse than having a line of folks with questions about results at a race or having to answer a bunch of emails about results Monday after a race weekend,” he adds.

Eric mostly works events in the Inland Northwest, but has done timing throughout the U.S., including some high profile events like the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships and USSA Nordic Junior National Championships. “I still prefer the lower key, local races though. There’s usually less drama and red tape involved,” said Ewing. “Red Tape in racing? Yes, there is!”

After timing hundreds of races, Ewing has seen and heard it all. He laughed when pondering a recent conversation he had with a competitor. “She wanted to know if forced to tread water during the swim while waiting to use the only dock ladder at the transition, would the timing chip pause. I replied with a big smile on my face. ‘Yes, just as it would if you stopped to use the bathroom, or get a beer somewhere along the way.’ ” said Ewing. Lucky for him, she appreciated his humor and laughed as she walked away.