Posted: August 16, 2004

Athletics: New Technology at Road Runner Akron Marathon to 'Phone Home' Runner's Progress During Race

AKRON, Ohio - (August 15, 2004) - Runners entered in the 2nd Annual Road Runner Akron Marathon on Saturday, October 2, will be able to take advantage of new technology that will "phone home", providing real-time voice messaging updates of their progress. The new runner tracking system, powered by MarathonGuide.com's VoiceTrak™ system, will be offered free to all marathon runners.

Once a runner provides the phone numbers of friends or family members, the tracking system will take over. As runners pass over timing mats on the race course, data will be transmitted to a central facility where it will be used to generate personalized voice phone calls that will include the current status of a runner and estimated finish time. In addition to delivering an up-to-date voice mail message, the system can also deliver text and email messages.

"This system will be very helpful for friends and family members who are waiting for a runner at the finish line," said Jim Barnett, race director for the Road Runner Akron Marathon & Team Relays. "The system can call a friend or family member's cell phone and provide updates on the runner's progress."

"Our technology is changing the way spectators experience a marathon," said John Elliott, founder of MarathonGuide.com. "Spectators on the course can receive updates and will know when to expect their friend or family member to arrive at the finish line or other point on the course." The system is also useful for people who are unable to attend the marathon,but are still able to receive updates.

Friends and family members with access to the Internet can also go to the Road Runner Akron Marathon website at www.akronmarathon.org to check a marathon runner's progress on-line.

Runners who have already registered for the marathon will be notified via email about the messaging service and how to provide up to six phone numbers for real-time notification. Runners will also be able to sign up for the messaging service at the Health and Fitness EXPO on Friday, October 1, at the John S. Knight Center.

For additional information about the Road Runner Akron Marathon, or to register for the 2004 event on Saturday, October 2, visit the Road Runner Akron Marathon website at www.akronmarathon.org , or call toll-free at (877) 375-2RUN.