06 Oct 2020
London Marathon used social distancing tech
BY Tom Walker
The organisers of the London Marathon recruited the help of one of UK's most advanced robotics companies to ensure social distancing measures were adhered to during this year's race.
The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon worked with tech firm Tharsus, to use its Bump technology system during the elite events – and the build up to them – on Sunday 4 October.
All of the 100+ elite athletes wore the Bump divides – as did the 500 members of the event's operational team – to help maintain the biosecure bubble during the event.
Developed in anticipation of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic would have, Bump has been designed to help wearers feel safe, inform effective social-distancing behaviour and thus reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
It comprises wearable and static devices which use Radio Frequency (RF) technology to create a 'Personal Motion System' that immediately alerts wearers when they are getting too close to another person.
The Bump devices allowed marathon organisers to accurately monitor how often and for how long elite athletes and event staff spend within a pre-defined distance of each other.
As well as helping prevent people getting too close to one another during the event, organisers were able to trace interactions back to specific wearers and inform them accordingly, should any Bump wearer test positive for COVID-19 in the two weeks following the event.
“This weekend’s event was the culmination of months of planning around how to deliver a socially distanced 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon that is safe for all participants and stakeholders," said Hugh Brasher, event director of the Virgin Money London Marathon.
"Tharsus’s Bump technology has played an important role, giving our athletes and internal teams extra confidence to engage with the event safely.
“We have been working with Tharsus for many months and, when we were still hoping to deliver the mass participation event on its usual route, we were planning to supply all participants with the Bump technology in order to hold a socially distanced mass event.
"It shows how important a role technology can play in the current situation.”
Brian Palmer, CEO of Tharsus Group, added: “With fresh Government restrictions being regularly reintroduced, it’s crucial that we adopt measures where possible that help us convene safely and allow society to retain a sense of normalcy.
"Despite being behind closed doors, many sports fixtures and events continue to take place, highlighting that the industry is leading the way in using technology to continue operating safely."
Due to restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, the 2020 event featured elite-only races taking place in a biosecure bubble in St James’s Park.
A virtual version of The 40th Race saw 45,000 runners from across the UK and the world run the Virgin Money London Marathon their way.
Participants had 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds (from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 BST) to complete the 26.2 miles, which they could choose to run, walk or jog – making the event the most inclusive London Marathon ever.
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