Organizing a trail race poses numerous challenges, including precise timing and ensuring athlete safety along the course. To address these challenges, a major endurance trail race has adopted an innovative solution using RFID technology.

What role does RFID play?

Athletes received two types of RFID tags upon registration: a Wristby and a Patchy tag. Each tag is associated with a specific athlete and contains information such as the runner’s identity and bib number.

The Wristby tag is a lightweight, durable, and adjustable disposable bracelet designed for comfort, ensuring athletes are not hindered during the race. It was used to track participants at the start, finish, and each checkpoint.

The Patchy tag, on the other hand, was chosen for its silicone material, which is flexible, waterproof, and resistant to rain, mud, and sunlight. With holes on the ends, it easily attaches to athletes’ backpacks, ensuring reliable performance throughout the race and ensuring detection at every refreshment point.

The use of RFID technology with Wristby and Patchy tags has ensured precise and reliable timing, significantly reducing errors in results and thereby increasing athletes’ confidence in race management. Real-time monitoring of runners at refreshment points has improved race control, enabling timely intervention when needed and ensuring overall athlete safety.

Automated transmission of results on the event’s website has greatly enhanced the visibility of the competition, allowing spectators to follow results in real time and support participants effectively. Operational efficiency has also been optimized through reduced time and costs with more efficient and automated data management, allowing organizers to focus on other aspects of the event.