Run marathon along with RFID

Filed in archive Implementation on April 9, 2007

How would you feel if your favorite runner has crossed the first lap in record time and you get to know about the good news from the comforts of our home? Certainly exalted!! You may probably be in one city and your favorite star may be running for the title in another city but distance should not be a problem as marathon officials are using free online tools using which you can keep a track on their performances.

All this has been made possible with the help of RFID chips which are attached to the shoelaces of runners and when the runner crosses the rubber mats along the course the radio transmitter sends the unique ID number to the antenna and finally the information is routed to a central database. The collected information is then transmitted to either a computer or mobile phone depending upon the mode chosen and that too within time gap of two to four seconds. New York has been using RFID for seven long years for tracking runners.

Use of technology will surely increase the interest in the game and help the families of the runners keep a track on their performance even if they can't make it to the event. This information could also be used in case of emergency situations during marathon. The marriage of RFID and sports will certainly bear fruitful results.