Spectating
How to track a runner on race day and be at the right spot
Learn how to track a runner on race day: use the official tracker, work out their pace, and plan when they reach your spot so you never miss them.
To track a runner on race day, open the race's official tracking page or app, then use their pace to work out when they will reach your spot. The tracker tells you where they were a few minutes ago, so the pace tells you where they are now. This guide shows you how to combine both, so you are standing at the barrier with your phone ready.
How does race day tracking work?#
Most big races put timing mats on the course, often every 5 km, and the tracker updates when a runner crosses one. That means the dot on your screen jumps from mat to mat instead of moving smoothly. Some events also offer live GPS in their own app, but not all do, so check the race website a week before.
Read the event's own spectator page first. The London Marathon spectator guide is a good example of what to look for: the tracking app, the best viewing areas and the transport tips. If you are new to the distance, the marathon page explains why it is 42.195 km.
How do you track a runner by pace and time?#
Use this simple rule: time equals pace multiplied by distance. If your runner plans to run 6 minutes per kilometre, they pass the 10 km mark about 60 minutes after they cross the start line. Then add the wait at the start, because a big race can take several minutes to let everyone through.
Here is a quick table for three common paces:
| Pace per km | At 10 km | At the half (21.1 km) | At the finish (42.2 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 | 0:50:00 | 1:45:29 | 3:30:59 |
| 6:00 | 1:00:00 | 2:06:35 | 4:13:10 |
| 7:00 | 1:10:00 | 2:27:41 | 4:55:22 |
These are times from the moment they cross the start line, not from the starting gun. So ask your runner for their goal pace and their start wave the night before.
What if you cannot track a runner live?#
Sometimes you cannot track a runner live. Phone signal gets crowded near a finish line, and a mat can miss a chip. So do not wait for the tracker alone. Then compare it with your pace maths, and trust whichever one fits the last update.
Runners also slow down late in a race, and a runner who hits the wall can lose several minutes in the last 10 km. For example, add five to ten minutes to your estimate for a spot after 30 km. It is better to arrive early than to miss the one moment you came for.
How do you track a runner and see them twice?#
Pick one spot early on and one near the end, and track a runner between them with the tracker to move between them. Our guide on where to stand to watch a marathon explains how to choose a spot with room to stand and a clear view. Then check the road closures, because a closed street can turn a five-minute walk into twenty.
Pack for the wait, too. The spectator packing list covers the power bank you will need, since tracking apps drain a battery fast.
What should you do when you spot them?#
Call their name, hold your sign high and film a few seconds before they reach you. If you want a steady clip, read how to film a runner before the day. Then lower the phone and cheer, because that moment is for them and not for the camera.
After they pass: keep the photos together#
By the end of the day, your phone, your cousin's phone and your friend's phone all hold a piece of the race. RaceTale lets everyone add their photos and cheers through one invite link, with no account, so your runner gets one story in order.
Frequently asked questions#
Can I track a runner without the official app?#
Often yes. Many races publish results and splits on their website as runners cross each mat. The page usually updates every few minutes, so refresh it as your runner gets close.
How accurate is it to track a runner on race day?#
It is accurate at each mat and an estimate in between. Treat the dot as the last known position, and use pace to guess the rest.
How early should I get to my spot?#
Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your earliest estimate. Crowds build up, and runners can run faster than planned in the first half.
What if I miss my runner?#
Move to your next spot using the tracker, and cheer for everyone who passes. Runners notice a loud crowd, even when it is not for them.
