New York City Marathon App – Track NYC Marathon Runner – Runner’s World

New updates to the Tata Consultancy Service’s (TCS) New York City Marathon app are aiming to transform the way spectators follow the 48-year-old race.

In addition to tracking the race day festivities and runners on the course, TCS is using their data analytics platform, Ignio, to test the possibility of predicting race winners on November 4. Separate from the app, Ignio is being tested for potential use as supplemental support on the race day broadcast.

“The tool is in its beta phase, so it may or may not be rolled out this year. The plan is that it will be used to supplement TV broadcast and use real-time predicted results for the race,” a TCS representative told Download.com. “The algorithm developed for the tool will predict the likely winner so friends and family can see where their runner ranks in the line-up.”

According to SportTechnie, Ignio includes features like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation, and has been used to help structure IT services for Fortune 500 companies. If the tool can be utilized for the New York City Marathon, it will use past data like runners’ past race times along with real-time analytics to help power its predictions.

As for new features on the app that will definitely make an appearance? For one, runner tracking: While using the app, users can track as many as 20 runners at a time, following their exact locations, elapsed running time, average pace, distance covered, and expected finish time over the five boroughs. The app also features runner bios and recent race results, which allow fans to follow the storylines of the elite field. A spectator guide is another added feature.

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In addition to enhanced tracking, the app will enable users to choose points on the course where they can see runners blaze through the route. The app will even give users directions to the point where they can watch the runner pass in real time. They can plan ahead by making an itinerary on the course map with race updates at specific mile markers.

The updates promise a more streamlined way to follow the thrilling races on the elite side of this year’s marathon. On the women’s side, 2017 New York City Marathon winner Shalane Flanagan will return in an attempt to defend her title, joined by 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden and Molly Huddle, who will be making her return to New York after finishing third in her debut at the distance in 2016.

The men’s side features a highly anticipated marathon debut from five-time Olympian and five-time world champion Bernard Lagat. Four-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and 2016 U.S. Olympian Jared Ward will also be in contention.