Sure Guernsey Marathon keeps better pace with new technology
As the lead sponsor of the Sure Guernsey Marathon 2023 for the second year running, we have a goal of making this year’s race the most-connected marathon ever – by using our technology and providing state-of-the-art running race equipment.
This Race Result timing decoder equipment will benefit runners by improving the accuracy of their race times by using mats on the road to detect chips in the race bibs. Mats will be at the start, halfway mark, South Esplanade and the finish line.
These times are uploaded to an online portal via our high-speed mobile network, offering a system that is more exact than ‘by eye’ methods. We are also providing a Seiko large-scale race clock, which is more accurate than the current method of looking at a stopwatch when a runner comes over the line, and allows for faster time uploads.
Supporting the community is important to us, so for the first time, the race will have a lead vehicle with a GoPro mounted on the back for online spectator entertainment, allowing people to follow the lead runners on the Guernsey Marathon website. Once the lead runners finish, the GoPro will be positioned to show all the other runners crossing the finish line. This will bring the experience of watching the Guernsey Marathon online to people for the first time.
We are also providing MiFi units which are portable wireless hotspots that connect to Sure’s mobile network, connecting up to 10 mobile, tablet or laptop devices each. These allow the runners to be monitored when they have passed checkpoints and track their live location. This will improve spectator entertainment, as the commentators in the PA cabin can see where the runners are with live timings, and who is in the lead or who has beaten personal best times, helping spectators at the Marathon Village experience the race thrills from around the course.
These MiFi units also ensure a safer race as the marathon organisers in the command centre will use the units to coordinate with the marshals around the course as well as with civil protection and the police if there is a need for medical personnel or for traffic management.
2023 Sure Guernsey Marathon Race Director, Michael Quittenden said: “Running a marathon is a great challenge for runners of all abilities and this year we wanted to give participants the most immersive experience possible. Sure’s support has enhanced the technology we use, which improves accuracy and safety and makes for a better all-round experience for the runners. The 2023 edition is going to be the most-connected ever and we’re already looking forward to it.”
Justin Bellinger, chief executive of Sure in Guernsey, said: “Sure is committed to supporting local sport and our team’s technical know-how, as well as the strength of our networks, means that we can invest to improve these events for everyone who takes part. Sport plays such an important role in connecting people and this year’s Sure Guernsey Marathon is going to be more accessible for spectators, more accurate for participants and easier for the organisers to manage.”
We support many local sports teams as part of our commitment to backing local sport, spanning running, hockey, swimming events, rugby, football, touch rugby, and cycling. Sponsorships include the Sure Guernsey Marathon, being the Island Games technology partner, the Sure Academy (in partnership with Ian Brown’s Cycle Shop) and the Sure Scorpions touch rugby team.