WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps Marathon Organization has released an updated version of its Marine Corps Marathon app for iPhone and Android, including its popular Track a Runner feature.
The app, designed by Austin-based AVAI Mobile, also includes a healthy amount of marathon-related information and alerts.
The Track A Runner feature, sponsored by Hyundai, Arlington County and MarathonFoto, is exactly what it sounds like.
“Every participant has a bib [with] their number that is pinned to the front of their shirt. On that bib is a transmitter, and basically across the course in various locations there is a receiver that picks up the data when the runner gets there,” said Marc Goldman, marketing and sponsorship manager for the Marine Corps Marathon.
It has become the essential way to be a marathon spectator.
“In 2016, over 300,000 messages were delivered for people wanting to track a specific runner,” Goldman said.
The location can be sent instantly to text or email, or posted on Facebook or Twitter.
The Marine Corps Marathon app includes other essential information for both the Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon 10K, including course maps, transportation information such as free shuttles and parking, video highlights and images, as well as the Marine Corps Marathon weekend event schedule.
It also serves up weather updates, news alerts and live finisher results.
You do need to register, free of charge, before race day to use the Track A Runner feature. You can register through the app or at the Marine Corps Marathon website.
There is also a MOTIGO (Motivation on the Go) feature for runners, who can invite family and friends to record motivational messages to listen to during their run. It also includes a course-specific audio tour with recorded messages highlighting the course.
