SINGAPORE: Supporters at this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) will have an easier time tracking their friends and family who will be pounding the pavement on Dec 6 with the introduction of a new mobile app.
According to organisers, this year’s event, the 14th edition of the SCMS, will be the first in South-east Asia to offer real-time runner-tracking thanks to the app called SCMS 2015.
Developed by the marathon’s official IT consultancy, Tata Consultancy Services, it is available on iOS and Android platforms.
Users will be able to search for runners by names or bib numbers.
The timing data of all runners will also be updated as they cross the timing mats, allowing supporters to be at the right place at the right time to cheer them on.
Runners can share their positions in real-time with friends and family on race day, providing an enhanced experience for supporters.
The app also doubles as a personal coach for runners, offering fitness plans for participants of all levels. It can be customised according to each person’s running experience, goals for the race and commitment to train.
The app has been welcomed by the runners who believe that it will be more convenient to track fellow racers. This will be especially so for those who are taking part in groups, said participant Chow Yan Lee, 44.
“The feature is a good idea as we can wait for friends who have lagged behind and give them moral support if we know that they are only a couple of minutes behind,” said the housewife, who will be lacing up for the 42km race with friends.
The tracking feature will also make it easier for supporters to keep tabs on runners amid the packed crowd on race day.
“I have a wedding in the afternoon on race day. It’ll be easier for my family to know when to meet me at the finish line and rush off to the wedding together,” said national para athlete Shariff Abdullah, 47.
Registration for this year’s race has also been extended to Nov 30 in view of some runners who may have suspended training owing to the recent haze.
