Definition
Your race finish time measured from when the starting gun fires, regardless of when you actually crossed the start line. Relevant in massive races where you're stuck behind 10,000 people at the start.
Example Usage
My gun time was 4:15 but my chip time was 4:02—I spent 13 minutes just getting to the start line.
Origin
Road racing timing terminology, became important with chip timing technology in the 1990s
Fun Fact
Major marathons now use both gun time (for elite prize money) and chip time (for age-group awards and sanity).
Source: Road racing and marathon terminology
Related Terms
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See “gun time” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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