Related
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Technology will play a big role in the runner and spectator experience in this year's TCS New York City Marathon.
Gone are the days of simply tracking your runner's progress.
Michelle Taylor with Tata Consultancy Services says the running community is a tech-savvy crowd that expects bells and whistles to be a part of the experience.
She spoke with WCBS 880's Marla Diamond about some of the new features that are now available in the TCS New York City Marathon app.
"We added some augmented reality features into the app and there's a tab within the app. Hit on that tab, you're brought to a landing page that introduces two experiences. One is built into a mural that is on a side of a building in Brooklyn. So it's just really fun to interact with the mural and kinda see these fun tips around the five boroughs, like different tips in each of the five boroughs," she said.
Another feature gives spectators route and transportation options to catch up with your runner several times along the course.
"And then on race day they can match that up with the real-time tracking device for a really fantastic race experience," Taylor said. "If you've picked that you want to see your runner at mile eight and you're at mile eight and they run by, it'll then show you next the locations that you can get to in time before your runner."
It will even recommend which bus or subway to take.
Another feature is the cheer card, which allows runners and spectators to take a selfie, which might end up on one of the jumbotrons along the course.
The app also provides runners with a little motivation each day.
"When you train the augemented reality tab from the app onto the runner bib an experience pops out where it's Shalene Flanagan, who is the last American to win the TCS New York City Marathon, comes out and gives personal messages to runners wishing them good luck in the race and the message changes each day."
The app is avaible in the Apple Store and on Google play.