Live tracking for a wheelchair or handcycle marathon

Are you looking to track a particular athlete right now, or asking about how to set up live tracking for a wheelchair or handcycle marathon?

If you’re following someone, tell me the marathon name and their bib number (or name). Tracking is usually provided by the race’s official app or results page, and it may show wheelchair and handcycle athletes separately. For example, the Boston Athletic Association lists an official race-day tracking option, and the Chicago Marathon’s 2026 schedule includes wheelchair and handcycle starts. (baa.org)

Which race do you mean? I can give specifics once you name it. Here's what's current for the big ones.

Upcoming: TCS New York City Marathon (Sunday, November 1, 2026)

• Live tracking uses the TCS New York City Marathon app. Spectators and supporters can follow individual runners in real-time using the TCS New York City Marathon App. The app also has live cameras on the course, according to a 2024 FloTrack guide, and the official site has a browser version for searching and tracking specific runners.
• Handcycles start with the wheelchair group. Handcycles and select athletes with disabilities start at 8:22 a.m. ET, after the men's and women's pro wheelchair starts at 8:00 and 8:02.

Already past: Chicago (October 2026) and Marine Corps (October 25, 2026)

• Chicago used the ChMarathon app for tracking. Officials described "unlimited live race day runner tracking" as available through the ChMarathon app.
• For the Marine Corps Marathon, wheelchair and handcycle participants were scheduled to start at 7:05 a.m. EDT, and spectators could use the official website and its linked live-tracking service.

Other majors

• Boston: the BAA Racing App offers live runner tracking, interactive course maps, and leaderboards. You can also search by name or bib number on the BAA website.
• London: the TCS London Marathon App offers real-time tracking so friends and family can follow progress.
• Berlin: the BMW Berlin-Marathon app includes live tracking of runners and skaters.

Tips

• Most apps and websites track by bib number, so find your athlete's bib on the race's entrant list or results page.
• Wheelchair and handcycle divisions start earlier than the mass field, so check the start schedule and time your viewing accordingly.
• Tracking is usually based on timing mats, so the position between checkpoints is an estimate. Phone signal at the course can also be patchy. The finish area is busy and phone signal can be patchy, so choose a reunion spot outside the park in advance.
• For a race that isn't listed here, search "[race name] live tracking" or check the official race website. Many events also have their own app.

Live tracking for wheelchair and handcycle marathons typically utilizes one of three primary methods, depending on whether you are an event organizer or a participant looking to share your progress.

1. Official Race Tracking (Best for Spectators)

Most major marathons provide official live tracking as part of their event platform.

• How it works: This usually relies on RFID/Chip timing. Participants wear a timing chip (often on their bib or attached to the frame/wheel) that is detected by mats at the start, finish, and intermediate "split" points along the course.
• What you see: Spectators can view these split times on the race's official website or mobile app to see where the athlete is and estimate their finish time.
• Recommendation: Always check the official race website first. If the event has an official app (often powered by providers like RTRT.me or custom solutions), this is the most accurate and reliable method for verified race results.

2. Live GPS Tracking Apps (Best for Real-Time Maps)

If you want to see a "moving dot" on a map in real-time, rather than just waiting for the athlete to cross a timing mat, GPS-based solutions are used.

• Smartphone-Based: These apps use the GPS signal from the athlete's phone or a connected smartwatch.
  • RaceJoy: A popular choice for endurance events that allows for live tracking and even enables spectators to send "audio cheers" to the participant.
  • Strava Beacon / Garmin LiveTrack: These are excellent for continuous real-time location sharing via a link sent to friends and family.
  • Cheerlify: A dedicated tool designed to provide a live dot on the race route along with pace and ETA data.
• Dedicated Hardware: For high-level professional races, organizers may provide or require specialized GPS trackers (like those from Open Tracking or Tracktherace) that are mounted to the handcycle or wheelchair frame.

3. Considerations for Wheelchair/Handcycle Athletes

When selecting or using a tracking tool, keep these specific needs in mind:

• Battery Life: Continuous GPS tracking on a smartphone can drain battery quickly. For a full marathon, ensure the phone is fully charged or consider a power bank if allowed.
• Mounting: Ensure your phone or tracking device is securely mounted to your frame to avoid interference with your pushing or cranking motion.
• Platform Compatibility: If you are using a fitness watch (like an Apple Watch or Garmin), check if it has a specific "Wheelchair" or "Handcycle" activity mode. These are optimized to track "pushes" or "crank revolutions" rather than steps, providing much more accurate data for your own records.

Summary Checklist for Tracking

Pro Tip: If you are a participant, you can combine methods. Use the official race app for your "official" race status, and simultaneously activate Strava Beacon or Garmin LiveTrack to give your supporters a live view of your progress between timing mats.

If you mean tracking someone competing in a marathon, use the race’s official tracking app or website and search by the athlete’s name or bib number. Wheelchair and handcycle athletes may be listed in those same trackers, but it can depend on the event.

For the New York City Marathon, NYRR says spectators can track participants through the NYRR app. A live-results webpage is also available: liveresults.nyrr.org. ¹² Search by name or bib, then add the athlete to your tracking list.

Tell me which marathon (and, if you know it, the athlete’s name or bib number), and I can point you to the right tracker.