The elapsed time from the official start of a race (marked by a starting gun or signal) to when a runner crosses the finish line. This time includes any delay between the start signal and when the runner actually crosses the start line.
'Gun' refers to the traditional starting pistol used to begin races, from Old English 'gunne,' while 'time' derives from Old English 'tima.' The term became standard as races grew larger and the difference between start signal and individual start times became significant.
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