How technology helps make mass runs safer and more convenient

On September 27, for the 15th time, the Almaty Marathon organized by the corporate foundation "Courage to Be First" will take place — a marathon that has scaled from a local event into the largest running event in Central Asia since 2012.

Alibek Abanov, IT Manager of the corporate foundation "Courage to Be First"

The foundation consistently implements digital solutions focused on both participant convenience and event safety. The organization's races are the only ones in Kazakhstan included in the AIMS calendar of international marathons and road races, which unites over 445 marathons in 115 countries, where technological infrastructure has long become an integral part of organizing mass events.

How digital services became part of marathons

Today, almost the entire participant journey has been digitized – from registration to receiving final results. When submitting an application, the system records not only basic data but also additional participant parameters, with all information stored in the personal account.

A few days before the start, participants receive their race packs at the EXPO. Previously, this required signing a paper health declaration on-site. Now, the document can be completed in advance via the eGov Mobile app.

The corporate foundation "Courage to Be First" was the first in Kazakhstan to implement this practice at running events. At the same time, we have retained the paper format for those who prefer it.

On race day, digital tools are used not only to record results but also for real-time monitoring of the situation on the course. During the event, organizers set up a Command Center, where the situation on the track is monitored in real time.

City cameras from the Sergek system, as well as data from coordinators, medical services, and technical specialists located along the route, are used for monitoring. This approach allows for faster response to emergencies, coordination of service operations, and control of participant movement along the course.

How the monitoring and online timing system works

The MyLaps online timing system plays a special role during the race. Checkpoints – control points for time recording – are placed along the entire course, which every participant must pass. Information is automatically transmitted to the system in almost real time.

Participants can track their results in real time – this has become possible thanks to a module that ensures online data transmission from the MyLaps timing system.

The received data allow not only to generate results but also to analyze pace, record stops, and track possible deviations from the route.

After crossing the finish line, information about the participant's results immediately enters the system and undergoes primary processing. Then, the data are additionally verified by the IT team and timekeepers, after which they are transmitted to the website via secure channels.

Just a few minutes later, participants can view results and statistics on a special dashboard. The platform displays average finish times, distribution of participants by distance, gender, and age, geography of countries and cities, as well as statistics of running clubs and schools.

Creating a digital model of such a large-scale event allows for a new perspective on processes. The dashboard helps the team and partners quickly assess event effectiveness, see audience engagement, and understand where processes can be optimized.

Despite the high level of automation, results undergo additional verification. According to organizers, technical deviations related, for example, to chip failure or a participant dropping out of the race, account for about 0.02-0.03%.

Before publication, data are cross-checked with finish line video recordings and scoreboard readings synchronized with the timing system. This ensures the accuracy of final results and minimizes the probability of errors.

Why Almaty Marathon is building its own digital ecosystem

On regular days, the foundation's technical department consists of three specialists. However, during events, the team scales more than threefold and transforms into a full-fledged operational system responsible for the stable operation of the event's digital infrastructure. It includes engineers, course coordinators, data processing specialists, and developers who control service operation and the correctness of automated information processing.

Currently, the team is working on developing a unified digital infrastructure for the TAN series – Turkic Alliance of Long Runs, which unites races in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Development is underway for a unified series website, a participant personal ID system with data synchronization between events, API integrations, a new mobile application, and a live-tracking system that will allow fans to track participant movement on a map in real time.

According to organizers, technology is gradually becoming the new standard for mass sports – making races not only more convenient but also safer, more transparent, and more efficient from the perspective of managing large-scale events.

On September 27, digital infrastructure will once again become part of the largest running event in Central Asia – the 15th Almaty Marathon will unite thousands of participants, volunteers, medical and technical services working as a single system. Registration for the marathon and other foundation events is open at almaty-marathon.kz.