Every year, tens of thousands of runners from around the world come together to participate in the iconic New York City Marathon. This year, over 50,000 runners from 148 countries will take to the streets. Their official finishing times will be determined by a chip smaller than a grain of sand embedded in their race bibs.

This remarkable technology inside the runners’ bibs allows race organizers to accurately record the exact time each runner passes specific points on the course. At the same time, it enables race fans to track their friends and family in real time, knowing when they will reach various checkpoints along the route.

The chip in the bib is not a traditional GPS tracker. Instead, it uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. When a runner passes a timing mat on the course, the chip sends a signal that is instantly detected by the system, which then records the runner’s split time. This technology ensures precise and reliable timing for every participant.

Manual timing methods can be prone to errors. The RFID chip in the bib automatically and precisely records each runner’s passing time, ensuring that race results are fair and trustworthy.

Family and friends don’t have to wait anxiously at the finish line. Through official race apps or websites, they can follow runners’ progress live, experiencing every exciting moment of the race as it happens.

Organizers gain real-time insights into where every runner is on the course, allowing them to quickly respond to emergencies and keep the event running smoothly and safely.

The collected timing data goes beyond just finishing times. It can be used to analyze runner distribution, pace changes, and overall race dynamics, helping improve future events and training programs.

Though tiny, the chip in a race bib holds incredible power. It elevates the professionalism and excitement of marathon events while providing a better experience for runners and supporters alike. As technology advances, race bibs will become even smarter and more useful, helping marathons become more efficient and enjoyable.