HP Technology Takes Every Step at 2005 Boston Marathon

HP (www.hp.com) today announced that it is providing the technology to track every registered participant at the 109th running of the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon, and plans to make race information instantly available to fans, friends and family worldwide via the Internet.

The official technology sponsor of the Boston Marathon for the 11th consecutive year, HP specially designed the HP Athlete Search System for the April 18 race.

The HP Athlete Search System is powered by a wireless network that uses HP Integrity servers, industry-standard HP ProLiant servers, HP iPAQ Pocket PC handheld devices and HP ProCurve networking products.

Race participants attach a tiny computer chip to their shoes or wheelchairs that transmits their location as they cross stationary sensor mats at regular checkpoints. The system allows runners to register up to six mobile or Internet email addresses for delivery of alerts from four checkpoints on the course: 10K, half marathon, 30K and the finish.

Over 50 percent of the registered field is expected to participate in athlete alerts; more than 200,000 alerts will likely be sent. Computer users around the world will be able to obtain up-to-date participant locations on the race website, http://www.bostonmarathon.org.

"Pioneered by HP, the HP Athlete Search System provides fans up-to-the-minute marathon results and makes the race a truly high-tech experience," said Dan Socci, chairman of the HP New England Initiative, an organization of New England-based HP executives that supports and coordinates HP's role in the marathon.

HP technologies also will support the marathon operations center at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, as well as the race command post on Copley Square Park, runners' number pickup area, press registration areas, press rooms, television broadcast booths and in the medical tents.

"The Boston Athletic Association relies on HP technology to accurately track participants along the historic Boston Marathon route," said Dave McGillivray, race director, Boston Marathon. "Fans on the course and around the world will have access to the BAA network, getting real-time information while the race is in progress."

On April 16-17, HP will participate in the Boston Marathon Expo at the World Trade Center in Boston, where runners can be photographed at the HP booth 506 with an HP digital camera and receive a free picture to commemorate the marathon weekend.