As runners wind their way through the five boroughs on Nov. 1, they will rightfully be lauded for taking on a herculean feat. But so too will supporters who try to track them through the city streets to cheer them on — those who frantically rent Citi Bikes, race down closed side streets and tap their foot against the subway platform as their runner trucks toward the finish line.
For those waiting to see their favorite runners on the course or track their progress from home, the New York Road Runners app provides runners’ locations and paces in real time.
The free app, available for Apple and Android, uses names or bib numbers to give updates on runners from the road. Runners can also select a “share tracking” option on their profiles to send tracking links to friends and family, who can then set up push notifications that will alert them when the tracked runners hit certain checkpoints along the course, such as crossing the start line and making it to the half-marathon mark.
The app also features a map that shows where runners are projected to be, based on their speed through the previous checkpoint. It also includes recommendations for the best places to cheer for runners.
Livestreams on the app will let fans watch runners pass five locations along the course. The cameras will be set up at the start and finish of the race, as well as a handful of mile markers along the route. The app also streams full, live footage of the leader groups in each race category — professional men, professional women, men’s wheelchair and women’s wheelchair.
Live results are also available online on N.Y.R.R.’s website. And for spectators who will be following along from the comfort of their couches, the race will be carried live on ESPN2 and in Spanish on ESPN3 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern.
New Yorkers can tune in to WABC-TV, Channel 7, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for coverage of the race as well.
Jennie Coughlin contributed reporting.
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