I know everyone has been extremely excited to get information about tracking me during the marathon (unless you’ve already looked me up on the B.A.A. website because you just couldn’t wait!) So here are some details about different ways you can track me, BIB# 28269:
AT&T Athlete Alert (easiest, and you can even do it right now!)
- TEXT – Simply text the athlete’s Bib Number (28269) to 345678 using your US mobile phone. You will then receive an sms text response with instructions on how to submit a runner’s bib number. You will receive up to 6 texts per bib number. Message & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Text HELP for help. Available on participating carriers only. Privacy Policy at:www.att.com/privacy
By choosing this option, you’ll get updates when I cross the 10K, Half-Marathon, 30K and Finish points of the race.
I am in Wave 4, Corral 2, so my start time is expected to be 11:25 a.m. that morning. (And I get to arrive at the starting line something like 6:30 a.m….so this is going to be a lonnnnnggg day!)
Live Tracking
So I couldn’t really find any apps that seemed easy enough to use and that wouldn’t totally suck the life out of my phone mid race. That said, if you have an iPhone and would like to temporarily connect with me via “Find My Friends” app, shoot me a request using my email, kirby.matthess@gmail.com, and ask for a temporary request with the time ending Monday, April 21st at like 5:30 p.m. (that should be more than enough time, here’s hoping!)
I honestly haven’t done this much, but I think you can make the request now, though I might wait to accept it until the night before or morning of. I don’t need you all watching my every move for the next 5 days! 😉 Otherwise, you can send a request the morning of the marathon and hopefully I’ll see it and accept it before crossing the start line! I actually don’t know what this will do to my battery life, but hopefully it won’t be terrible. If I all the sudden disappear on the map, don’t worry, I didn’t spontaneously combust (or did I? is that a risk during your first marathon?) but my phone probably died. So I do think that the text alerts might be the way to go.
I also don’t think this app is an extremely specific source of live time whereabouts, however, it will give you a general idea of where I am along the course and you can push a refresh for updates. This might be particularly helpful if you’re interested in the next thing….
FINISH STRONG: Streaming Camera of the Finish Line
http://universalsports.com/
So they will have a camera on the finish line throughout the day. Remember, I will not be winning this race so I expect that, at earliest, if you wanted to tune in around 4/4:15ish you might be able to see me. I’m expecting to finish just under 5 hours (so hopefully by 4:30p.m.-ish, but probably depending on how many selfies with friends along the way I decide to pull over for, and any other unforeseen circumstances).
Or this just in, download the app! Search iTunes for “The Boston Marathon.”
5days!!!
Eat|Play|Run|Kirby 