Marathon Runner Tracking??

[JeffW]

Not unless it is new. I am a runkeeper elite member.

For those who do not think runkeeper or other phone apps will work asa long as you are on course...

Turn OFF the WiFi and 3G/4G antennas. The battery will last longer than the length of the marathon time limit, by a large margin. It's amazing how many folks do no know you can shut down some of these antennas.

If you are using RunKeeper Live for real time updates, however, only turn off wireless and NOT 3G/4G. It needs a data connection to keep updating the RunKeeper servers

 

[JeffW]

I just upgraded to Elite. Do my spectators have to sign up for it too? And how do they find my live tracking? I want to try this out during tomorrow's run.

A couple of things. In the Settings menu of the app itself, you need to select the check box for "RunKeeper Live", so it will push data to the server. Unless your family has RunKeeper accounts, you'll also want to go into "Activities Viewable By" and select "Everyone". Then give your family the web address for your RunKeeper page (runkeeper.com/user/YOURID where you replace YOURID with your username). Make sure you have GPS enabled on your phone. I definitely recommend a trial run or two, as it took me a view attempts to get the settings right.

 

[cewait]

If you are using RunKeeper Live for real time updates, however, only turn off wireless and NOT 3G/4G. It needs a data connection to keep updating the RunKeeper servers

My bad, you are correct.

 

[Bephus]

One thing I noticed in the free app, if you are not sure about the expense, you can do a one-month trial to upgrade for $5 instead of the one-year $20. Yes, that is a lot more if you do end up doing it for the whole year, but if only interested in this one run it could be cheaper option.

Also, if you have the Find my Friends app DH thinks it can work in a similar way. Although that is only on iPhones I believe.

 

[JeffW]

A couple of things. In the Settings menu of the app itself, you need to select the check box for "RunKeeper Live", so it will push data to the server. Unless your family has RunKeeper accounts, you'll also want to go into "Activities Viewable By" and select "Everyone". Then give your family the web address for your RunKeeper page (runkeeper.com/user/YOURID where you replace YOURID with your username). Make sure you have GPS enabled on your phone. I definitely recommend a trial run or two, as it took me a view attempts to get the settings right.

Ok, I'm going to edit my own suggestion, as my wife tried to track me and something has changed in the last month or so. If you just go to runkeeper.com/user/YOURID , and you aren't signed in to a runkeeper account, it just shows summary information and asks if you want to sign up. It appears that the solution is to send people to runkeeper.com/user/YOURID/activity I'm going to have the kids go out for a Mickey Mile practice now, so I'll see if that works

 

[Ariel484]

I'm greatly disappointed that tracking information isn't up. Several of my co-workers were asking about it this year, as they tracked me last year.

I took a peek back in my Blog, and I noticed that I posted my tracking information on December 28th. So we are later this year in getting this information, if it comes at all!

A couple of coworkers follow me online, so I let them know if nothing is posted this weekend or before I leave work on Tuesday, I'll post it up so hopefully they can share it with those that are interested.

But wasn't the race a week earlier last year? If so, the timing is still about the same.

Yes, the race last year was January 8...which was also why the Christmas decorations were still up. I'm expecting them to post the tracking information early this week.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

One thing I noticed in the free app, if you are not sure about the expense, you can do a one-month trial to upgrade for $5 instead of the one-year $20. Yes, that is a lot more if you do end up doing it for the whole year, but if only interested in this one run it could be cheaper option.

Also, if you have the Find my Friends app DH thinks it can work in a similar way. Although that is only on iPhones I believe.

Google phones have Latitude.

 

[magicLAL12]

DisTracking is done by the B chip on the bib. At the 5/10/half?/20 mile markers, there are raised "track's" you run over that mark your time. Their system then sends the associated text/email to the spectator. No phone needed on the runners part

The main thing is you need to sign them up for it or have them sign up to get the alerts for you.

Oh, I see. That's nice, I thought you would need to have a phone (which I wasn't planning on carrying). Thank you for your help!

Or the 5, 10 and 15K mats in the half.


A CRITICAL thing that folks who sign up must do... When signing up, the phone or email account signed up will receive a confirmation message. you MUST respond to the message or you will not be able to receive the updates.

Good advice, thank you!

 

[stitchfan18]

I hope the runner tracking is far separated from all the computer issues at disney as of late. I'm beginning to wonder if the delay has to do with computers, it is much closer to the race than last year.

 

[guava]

Ok, I'm going to edit my own suggestion, as my wife tried to track me and something has changed in the last month or so. If you just go to runkeeper.com/user/YOURID , and you aren't signed in to a runkeeper account, it just shows summary information and asks if you want to sign up. It appears that the solution is to send people to runkeeper.com/user/YOURID/activity I'm going to have the kids go out for a Mickey Mile practice now, so I'll see if that works

Thanks! When I was playing around with it I couldn't figure out how to view without signing up. I'll try activity and see if that works.

 

[belle2211]

No cheering on Runkeeper. It's only on Nike+.

Darn...but thanks!

 

[JeffW]

Thanks! When I was playing around with it I couldn't figure out how to view without signing up. I'll try activity and see if that works.

That seemed to work for me this afternoon in a quick experiment. I sent a question to RunKeeper tech support, because while this seems to work, it is different than before and different than their instructional video. I'll post their response when/if I get it.

 

[guava]

Testing of the Runkeeper Elite live tracking was a success. My dad (in Ohio) was able to "watch" me run here (in Tampa) this morning. He used the yourid/activity and was able to see my route without signing up. He said it wasnt realtime, more like a snapshot. He had to keep hitting refresh to see my progress. Still, it will be cool for him to be able to check on me and should help my family that will be there in person guesstimate when I'm nearing the finish.

 

[Ariel484]

It's up!

http://live.xacte.com/wdw/alerts/

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Yay! All set! Hope it works now on Race Day!

 

[sunshine girl]

Awesome - just signed up my devoted fans to track me. Hope they enjoy getting text messages at the crack of dawn on Sunday!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Awesome - just signed up my devoted fans to track me. Hope they enjoy getting text messages at the crack of dawn on Sunday!

I asked my boss if he wanted to track me through text so I signed him up. After he confirmed the text, he asked what time I started. When I said 5:50 AM, he wasn't thrilled, LOL.

 

[rocio]

I asked my boss if he wanted to track me through text so I signed him up. After he confirmed the text, he asked what time I started. When I said 5:50 AM, he wasn't thrilled, LOL.

I signed up my parents and they're in California. So they will start getting texts around 4am their time. Such a kind daughter I am.

 

[SPAM]

What are the splits?

 

[FFigawi]

What are the splits?

They're your elapsed time when you cross timing mats at various points on the course. Usually every 5 kilometers and also at mile 13.1 and mile 20.