Chip prestige
We believe that use of a chip timing system is not a sign of prestige or high quality. Many race directors think otherwise and proudly advertise their events as "chip-timed races."
Many newer runners, thus, frequently compete in chip races and come to think that is the norm. They may view pull-tag finish lines as outdated and even fail to tear off their tags at the finish, incorrectly assuming the chips tied to their shoes will record their times.
Chip timing is not a sign of a higher quality race. But if runners think it is, then it may become so.
So, if you are using chip timing, do it correctly. Place timing pads MINIMALLY at the start AND the finish. Ideally, a third pad should be placed at the farthest point on the course, to prevent people from cheating.
A sole pad at the finish may save you some labor, but it will do nothing for the runners and WILL NOT PROVIDE CHIP TIME - the chip will merely be recording gun times.