General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM spectator ? - Chip tracking? Rss Feed  
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2009-08-20 9:32 AM

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Master
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Subject: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
I understand there is usually a service where you can track a person's bib number and see which chip mats they have crossed. This would be really helpful for me, since I'll be there with young kids cheering for dh (Davidtri's) and others.

I have already checked with my cell phone company to see about usage of the mobile Web on my phone for the day.

However, being a triathlete myself, I am pretty Type-A and would really like to see what this looks like on my phone and make sure I can use it, since I don't technically have a "smartphone" - just a Web-enabled regular phone.

It seems like these services don't launch or get publicized until the day of the event or something.
Does anyone know where I can get information on what company is providing this service at IM Louisville? And whether I can try going to their site on my cell phone?

Thanks!


2009-08-20 9:48 AM
in reply to: #2359915

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
Wiggle wireless does text message for Kona, but that is the only service I know of that will send out a text.....
http://www.wigglewireless.com/

You can check ironmanlive.com and check in on an athlete by bib, its will post splits and ranking.

One step further, you can slap a GPS on your athlete and track them live all day

http://www.myathletegps.com/
2009-08-20 9:57 AM
in reply to: #2359980

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
I used http://www.shop.myathletegps.com/main.scat my last tri (an half lite) and wifey sitting 1.5hrs away watched the whole and thought it was great.
2009-08-20 10:33 AM
in reply to: #2359915

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
Another website you might check is Ironman Live. There is usually a link on Ironman.com to the current races on Ironman Live. There is an athlete tracker system for some IMs that gets updated with times as competitors complete each leg of the race and some mid way checkpoints too. Sometimes they have a link for live video feed covering the race and later from the finish line. That stuff will usually be set up shortly before the race day.
http://live.ironmanlive.com/ironmanlive/racedaycoverage/livetrackinginfo
http://ironman.com/
2009-08-20 11:32 AM
in reply to: #2359915

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Master
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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
Thank you.
This link: http://live.ironmanlive.com/ironmanlive/racedaycoverage/livetrackin... />was helpful, although IMLouisville is not listed.
At least I can go to the IM site on my phone and see if I can see anything, or access the tabs, since I don't have a touch screen or a Blackberry.
2009-08-20 7:06 PM
in reply to: #2359915

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?

I saw thttp://www.myathletegps.com/ booth at Lake Placid - you wear a 2 oz. gps signaller (rental comes with a race belt to hold it) and it sends out a position update every 30 seconds. I didn't go for it this year (no enabled device on hand for my wife to receive it) but for $19.95 might think about it for next year.



2009-08-21 11:24 AM
in reply to: #2360338

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
ahohl - 2009-08-20 10:32 AM

Thank you.
This link: http://live.ironmanlive.com/ironmanlive/racedaycoverage/livetrackin... />was helpful, although IMLouisville is not listed.
At least I can go to the IM site on my phone and see if I can see anything, or access the tabs, since I don't have a touch screen or a Blackberry.


Those links were quite old, so I checked for something more recent. Go to:
http://ironman.com/events/ironman/louisville
and then, in the left hand column, click on "Race Coverage". If you select "2008", a window pops up with "Tracking" in the menu across the top. To see what the athlete tracking pages look like under that, select an athlete at random, perhaps from your age group. Closer to race day, you should be able to find a link for the 2009 coverage. Good luck!

Edited by Micawber 2009-08-21 11:26 AM
2009-08-21 12:58 PM
in reply to: #2359915

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
Thank you very much!
Somehow I would not have been able to navigate there by myself.


I was able to see most of the content from the page on my regular cell phone using AT&T's MEdiaNet service on my Nokia flipphone.
2009-08-21 4:52 PM
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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
A few months back I read about something that is free and you use your cel phone and the spectator can see where you are at all times from their laptop or any computer connected to the internet.

Anyone know what the name of this is?

2009-08-22 8:19 AM
in reply to: #2363325

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
RBRMIKE - 2009-08-21 5:52 PM A few months back I read about something that is free and you use your cel phone and the spectator can see where you are at all times from their laptop or any computer connected to the internet. Anyone know what the name of this is?


I don't know the answer to your question, but I believe that IMKY rules state that no cell phones are to be carried by racers, if that's what you had in mind.
2009-08-22 9:38 AM
in reply to: #2363871

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
Ah I found it.

Tracks the athlete or anyone for that matter and doesn't cost a thing.

http://www.instamapper.com/

Your spectators can actually check your progress from their cel phone so they don't even need a computer.


Looks like the battery would run out after about 6 hours so might be good to have a back up battery or turn it off every hour or so.


EDIT: Just found something similar which would really save the battery and probably last through an entire IM race

A free app loopt app Seems the battery would last much longer because it doesn't map your trip it only pings when someone wants to know where your cel phone is at that moment.

http://www.loopt.com/



Edited by RBRMIKE 2009-08-22 9:51 AM


2009-08-22 11:23 AM
in reply to: #2359915

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Subject: RE: IM spectator ? - Chip tracking?
If you know the general paces of the person you want to track, that is helpful too.  Jorge knew all that with me and i think had a pretty easy time, so knowing that combined with the online tracking, you can nail pretty close when the athlete will be passing by certain spots.  
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM spectator ? - Chip tracking? Rss Feed