2008 Boston Marathon Enhanced by RFID Technology
On April 21, 2008, the legendary Boston Marathon launched more than 22, 000 runners on a 26 mile adventure…with a RFID device securely attached.
Given more than 25,000 runners actually registered for the event and the weather was predicted to hit 80 degrees, Marathon officials knew that a concise and effective method was required to ensure the integrity of the event remained in tact.
The RFID (radio frequency identification) device assigned to each entrant is approximately the size of a $.50 cent piece and is secured to their shoelaces, ankle strap or clipped to a wheelchair. The chip holds the contender’s registration information as well as tracks his/her progress through the event.
How Does RFID Benefit the Boston Marathon?
1. Accurate Statistical Data: gets collected and is available to necessary personnel in real-time (i.e. media, etc.)
2. Fraud Prevention: Ensures all participants finish the race by hitting each check point. No short-cuts allowed, especially when cash prizes are involved!
3. Crowd Participation: Not only can Marathon officials track a runner’s progress, but so can spectators by logging online or having alerts sent to a mobile device.
4. Participant Safety: Not only can medical information be stored on the RFID chip, but should a “lost” participant need to be found, the search area can be narrowed to specific check point zones.
How Does RFID Work for Marathons?
Because RFID tags only need to come in close proximity to the reader, most large marathons use “Antennae Mats”. These mats are laced with antennae equipment which reads the chip number and sends the corresponding runner information to the data device, including the time at which the data was sent. Many RFID systems use antennae devices on either side of an entry or exit; I suspect the mats are used in large marathons due to the extremely heavy congestion at a starting line. Runners that may be trapped in the middle of the crowd still get timed since their device sparks upon stepping on the mat.
RFID Technology has been a favorable enhancement to large events, including marathons. Could it be a welcomed revolution to your business?
Feel Free to contact Dynamic Computer Corporation with any RFID questions.
Given more than 25,000 runners actually registered for the event and the weather was predicted to hit 80 degrees, Marathon officials knew that a concise and effective method was required to ensure the integrity of the event remained in tact.
The RFID (radio frequency identification) device assigned to each entrant is approximately the size of a $.50 cent piece and is secured to their shoelaces, ankle strap or clipped to a wheelchair. The chip holds the contender’s registration information as well as tracks his/her progress through the event.
How Does RFID Benefit the Boston Marathon?
1. Accurate Statistical Data: gets collected and is available to necessary personnel in real-time (i.e. media, etc.)
2. Fraud Prevention: Ensures all participants finish the race by hitting each check point. No short-cuts allowed, especially when cash prizes are involved!
3. Crowd Participation: Not only can Marathon officials track a runner’s progress, but so can spectators by logging online or having alerts sent to a mobile device.
4. Participant Safety: Not only can medical information be stored on the RFID chip, but should a “lost” participant need to be found, the search area can be narrowed to specific check point zones.
How Does RFID Work for Marathons?
Because RFID tags only need to come in close proximity to the reader, most large marathons use “Antennae Mats”. These mats are laced with antennae equipment which reads the chip number and sends the corresponding runner information to the data device, including the time at which the data was sent. Many RFID systems use antennae devices on either side of an entry or exit; I suspect the mats are used in large marathons due to the extremely heavy congestion at a starting line. Runners that may be trapped in the middle of the crowd still get timed since their device sparks upon stepping on the mat.
RFID Technology has been a favorable enhancement to large events, including marathons. Could it be a welcomed revolution to your business?
Feel Free to contact Dynamic Computer Corporation with any RFID questions.
posted by Mika Lofton at
1:34 PM
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