This Sunday, 27,500 runners will take part in the Biofreeze San Francisco Marathon. And this year, race organizers are planning to augment the event with technology.
The race will dip and duck through parts of San Francisco like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge and AT&T Park, home of the Giants. Starting on Friday, each runner will have access to the Neurun app to help them visualize every one of the 26.2 miles of the course ahead of time.
Neurun provides preview video of all parts of the route, which can help runner learn where to find water and first aid stations, restrooms, and even on-course photographers. The app also includes tips from running coaches and sports psychology experts. Neurun aims to help with the mental aspect of the race, regardless of whether you’re a top-level competitor, or are simply trying to achieve a personal goal.
Take a look at the stunning SF Bay views our Full and First Half Marathoners will experience on race day. Our new RUN 365 mental prep app from Neurun is coming soon. #ThisisHappening #TSFM2018 https://t.co/BgyJMCdsCE
— The Biofreeze SF Marathon (@theSFmarathon) July 1, 2018
The lead up to the race will also feature digital countdown clocks and welcome imagery projected onto buildings in the city on Friday and Saturday nights, and during the race itself, interactive displays will cheer runners along. When a participant’s RFID tag passes sensors on the course, messages sent out on social media by friends and family, and tagged with the runner’s race number, will show up on nearby display boards.
SportTechie Takeaway
The San Francisco Marathon isn’t the only race going digital. In April, the New York Road Runners announced their intention to host a virtual marathon for the first time ever. The number of entrants will be uncapped (naturally) and the race will take place in November around the same time as the actual New York Marathon, which is organized by NYRR. The group is also making other virtual races available, each with an entry fee of $20 for members and $30 for non-members.