Advanced chip-timing and runner tracking highlights partnership
Cellcom is pleased to return as the technology sponsor for the Community First Fox Cities Marathon presented by Kimberly-Clark. Through this partnership, Cellcom will once again provide participants advanced chip-timing and runner-tracking technology.
“We are excited to be partnering with Cellcom again after last year’s success,” said event manager Debbie Jansen. “Runners and spectators gave very positive feedback about the technology and we are excited to expand it even more this year.”
Timing mats located along the course and at the finish line help participants monitor their pace. At these various mile marks with mats, a tracking service allows participants and spectators to sign up for free e-mail and text message updates. This year an additional timing mat will be located at the ‘mile-to-go’ mark for both the half and full marathon. The extra mat not only gives runners an extra point to check their pace, but will offer those signed up for the tracking service an extra update that their runner is close to the finish line.
The tracking updates use Cellcom’s proprietary software to calculate each participant’s pace, provide an estimate of when the person will arrive at the various mile markers and give their estimated finish time. By integrating the timing mats and Cellcom’s cellular network, instant results are available to anybody who has signed up for the service no matter if they are on the course or half-way around the world and regardless of what cellular provider the person uses.
Sign-up will begin after bib numbers are assigned at the end of August. To sign up visit the marathon website, enter the bib number of the runner they would like to track, along with a cell phone number or email address to send the alerts to. Bib numbers can be looked up on the marathon site. Each phone number and email address can track up to five bibs.
Last year nearly 11,000 text messages and 4,700 emails were sent on race day. The same running-tracking technology is used at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon and continues to grow in popularity.
The 20th annual Community First Fox Cities Marathon presented by Kimberly-Clark is scheduled for Sept. 17 to 19.