News

Kiosk technology runs marathon

February 20, 2011

Technology allowed runners to get faster results and made running a more fun sport to watch last week in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Spectators of the 14th annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon were able to track racers throughout their 26.2 mile run, and racers used touch-screen kiosks at the finish line to quickly see their ranks and times, thanks to Jaguar, a system created by Innovative Timing Systems of St. Louis. It also allowed racers to use a phone app to get directions to the start line, watch themselves cross the finish line on a giant LED video screen and receive race results via text messages.

According to a story in the Sun News, a disposable timing chip was placed on the back of runners' bibs and was simpler than the timing system used in recent years, which required runners to place the devices on their shoes.

"The nice thing about it is the runner doesn't have to think about it," said Kurt Hansen, creator and chief executive officer of Innovative Timing Systems. "It's not like they have to put it on their shoe or ankle. They're going to wear a bib anyway."

The chip offered real-time results, so when runners crossed the finish line, they were able to view their time on the video screen. Their split times at certain key distance intervals of the race were also transmitted in real time to kiosks located near the finish line, allowing friends and family to monitor racers' progress. Fans used the kiosks to display congratulatory messages for racers as they finished.

The kiosks also printed runners' results in a form similar to a small cash register receipt.