Philly marathon - is there online runner tracking?

Seems like this race was on a steady upward rise until Chris Tatreau got pushed out as technical director, then the SNAFUs began. Guess some of the higher-ups felt they could do it as well or better than Chris. Looks like they were wrong.

I was bib 2708 - I don't even show up in any of the races. VERY frustrating since I ran a solid PB - and passed over every timing strip.

I emailed the RD , but don't expect much. The only thing I can figure is the RFID wasn't tracking my tag which spent the day ABOVE my shoe under the laces.

Ed Kloskowski wrote:

I was bib 2708 - I don't even show up in any of the races. VERY frustrating since I ran a solid PB - and passed over every timing strip.

I emailed the RD , but don't expect much. The only thing I can figure is the RFID wasn't tracking my tag which spent the day ABOVE my shoe under the laces.

My chip/tag was above my shoe under the laces as well, and I got tracked double. I really don't trust these disposable chips, though. So I'm not surprised if it's working for some and not for others.

rankler wrote:

Ed Kloskowski wrote:

I was bib 2708 - I don't even show up in any of the races. VERY frustrating since I ran a solid PB - and passed over every timing strip.

I emailed the RD , but don't expect much. The only thing I can figure is the RFID wasn't tracking my tag which spent the day ABOVE my shoe under the laces.

My chip/tag was above my shoe under the laces as well, and I got tracked double. I really don't trust these disposable chips, though. So I'm not surprised if it's working for some and not for others.

Thanks, I've heard from another who also wasn't tracked. I have no problem with new technology, but overall I'd say either the RD crewed poorly or the timing folks were optimistic for the reliability.

Of course as the guy who sits with no official results (not even a DNF or DNS) I'd say the systems sucks, but what do I know.

I ran it last year. The chip mats last year were not in the spots they were listed to be in. For example, the half way mat was at 14. something.

Seems like the 10K mat wasn't working - I didn't see that split for any of the people I looked up.

I am not showing up in the results at all either.

They gave my bib number away to someone else at the expo and I had to be reissued a new one. Not sure if that is related to the problem.

People who tracked me got a message with my finish time that is accurate.

I'll be pretty upset if it isn't straightened out. Big PR and a Boston Qualifier, so losing that would be devastating. Definitely a frustrating ordeal.

Just wanted to say that I know of another runner who had a huge PR, got correctly tracked to 30k (except the 30k mat was at 20 miles), but got no finish time either through tracking or posted results. For me, my "30k" time was not tracked. So it seems clear that the tags were not reliable. I am hoping that some sort of photographic record of the results will be used to correct the problems.

We have contacted the RD, who is probably inundated right now.

Did anyone else think it odd to see only 6600 finishers in a race that claimed 15,000 starters? Weather was very good, doesn't that seem like a lot of DNS/DNFs?

Would love to hear from the first person who is contacted by the race officials about this sort of problem.

Just wanted to say that I know of another runner who had a huge PR, got correctly tracked to 30k (except the 30k mat was at 20 miles), but got no finish time either through tracking or posted results. For me, my "30k" time was not tracked. So it seems clear that the tags were not reliable. I am hoping that some sort of photographic record of the results will be used to correct the problems.

We have contacted the RD, who is probably inundated right now.

Did anyone else think it odd to see only 6600 finishers in a race that claimed 15,000 starters? Weather was very good, doesn't that seem like a lot of DNS/DNFs?

Would love to hear from the first person who is contacted by the race officials about this sort of problem.

Just wanted to say that I know of another runner who had a huge PR, got correctly tracked to 30k (except the 30k mat was at 20 miles), but got no finish time either through tracking or posted results. For me, my "30k" time was not tracked. So it seems clear that the tags were not reliable. I am hoping that some sort of photographic record of the finishers will be used to correct the problems.

We have contacted the RD, who is probably inundated right now.

Did anyone else think it odd to see only 6600 finishers in a race that claimed 15,000 starters? Weather was very good, doesn't that seem like a lot of DNS/DNFs?

Would love to hear from the first person who is contacted by the race officials about this sort of problem.

drbruced wrote:

We have contacted the RD, who is probably inundated right now.

Did anyone else think it odd to see only 6600 finishers in a race that claimed 15,000 starters? Weather was very good, doesn't that seem like a lot of DNS/DNFs?

Would love to hear from the first person who is contacted by the race officials about this sort of problem.

The problem is that the RD is now fully involved w/ organizing the city's Thanksgiving Day parade, and then will move on to Xmas tree and Mummers Parade. The race won't be on the front burner for several weeks now. That is why they need a dedicated person to handle this position.

The 6600 was just for the marathon. Add in the half and 8K and you're over 10,000, but still short of the 15-16,000 they claimed.

Yes the tracking of runners splits and times could be better- it was my first time running the most recent Philly course- overall i was pleased- the packet pickup didnt take much time- the Expo was fine- but who really cares about expo's- it wasnt a hassle using the port 0 pots- it was easy to line up where you wanted to on the start line- the course was very organzied in terms of volunteers, marking water, gatorade, gel, etc etc big enough not to have to run alone and not so big as to feel like a sardine- i think they did a very good job with the race-u want a heated tent get real- look at the times not many true "elites" or are we getting that spolied? Yes I would go back- enjoyed my 2 days in Philly

I thought they did a pretty good job with the race yesterday. I finished in the top 25 and have no real complaints except for the unexpected course change. Although, I figured that out on Friday after looking over the USATF certified course map.

They did have gels at 18 and 22. I didn't take any then, but I remember seeing the stop.

I think we have to give the Philly Marathon organizers more credit. They are trying to bring this marathon up into the mainstream. It could become a nice big city marathon if someday they decide to make it point-to-point, but it WILL NEVER be that with the Manayunk out-n-back.

I liked the race course itself (I did the half), but feel they did a poor job organizing. Registration was time consuming and poorly handled, signage was poor and/or non-existent. It was an absolute horrible place logistically for the expo, drastically inadequate for that many people.

The same was true for race day, no good signage telling where the half and full would line up. I saw a lot of half and marathon people on the wrong sides of the road, likely one cause for the chip screw-ups. We told in advance of meet up areas by letter, but they never created them. Later they just told everyone to go to the Crocs tent to watch for your relatives. Again, a poor logistical choice telling a few thousand people to go meet at one 10x30 tent.

On course wasn't bad, although it was clear they didn't enforce the "no parking" since there were some significant bottlenecks in places where cars were parks on the course.

Then there was the chip problems. Out of the 40 people I was with, 3 haven't show up in the results as of today.

It seems reasonable to expect a major race (at $100/head) to be able to provide competitors with a time and a place. Right now, the Philly Marathon isn't doing either.

Since thousands of results are missing and others are incorrect, no one can be sure of their place. There's still a half marathoner listed as the first female master and in the top 10 women's finishers. This is not a small chip problem.

It would be nice if the race director would acknowledge the problem instead of posting incorrect results as accurate results. What's frustrating is not knowing if this problem will ever be fixed.