What equipment should we get to run 40 yard dash trials, such as like at the NFL combines (see details)?

Question

We want to get some basic minimal equipment (timing devices, etc.) so we can run a fair set of trials. Each person will run an individual heat that we will time, and then compare the times at the end to see who is fastest. Any suiggestions for methodology to maximize fairness are also welcome.

Answer 1

One simple/cheap way of doing a 40 is by timing the run with a stopwatch. Set up 2 sets of cones 40 yards a part. Have a person start at one end, wait for him to begin then start the clock and end it when he is across the second set of cones. A more sophisticated way of doing the 40 is with a digital timing system like the one Sparq makes. Eastbay has it, the link is below. It's pretty expensive however.