New tech to time marathon

Saturday 11 February 2023

Runners in this year’s Sure Guernsey Marathon will benefit from technology that improves the accuracy of their race times with chips built in to their number bibs.

A Race Result timing decoder uses mats on the road to detect the runners' chips so their times can be accurately uploaded to an online portal.

The mats will be at the start, halfway mark, South Esplanade and the finish line making the 2023 marathon the most technologically enabled the island has ever seen.

For the first time, the race will also have a lead vehicle, supported by Sure, with a Go Pro mounted on the back for online spectator entertainment, allowing people to follow the lead runners on the Guernsey Marathon website. Once the lead runners finish, the GoPro will be positioned to show all the other runners crossing the finish line. This will bring the experience of watching the Guernsey Marathon online to people for the first time. 

Sure is also providing MiFi units which are portable wireless hotspots that connect to Sure’s mobile network, connecting up to 10 mobile, tablet or laptop devices each. These allow the runners to be monitored when they have passed checkpoints so supporters can track their live location.

The organisers said this will improve spectator entertainment in the marathon village, as the commentators in the PA cabin will also be able to see where the runners are with live timings, and who is in the lead or who has beaten personal best times.

2023 Sure Guernsey Marathon Race Director, Michael Quittenden said: “Running a marathon is a great challenge for runners of all abilities and this year we wanted to give participants the most immersive experience possible. Sure’s support has enhanced the technology we use, which improves accuracy and safety and makes for a better all-round experience for the runners. The 2023 edition is going to be the most-connected ever and we’re already looking forward to it.” 

Justin Bellinger, Chief Executive of Sure in Guernsey, said: “Sure is committed to supporting local sport and our team’s technical know-how, as well as the strength of our networks, means that we can invest to improve these events for everyone who takes part. Sport plays such an important role in connecting people and this year’s Sure Guernsey Marathon is going to be more accessible for spectators, more accurate for participants and easier for the organisers to manage.”