I'll Run, You Follow

BIG BLOG NEWS...THE "A MARATHON A MONTH FOR A YEAR" STORIES TO THE RIGHT ARE NOW ACTIVE LINKS TO THE STORY FROM EACH RACE

New York is one of the marathons that provides an email message update on each runner via the "Athlete Alert" system.

Athlete Alert is provided by Time Warner Cable Systems (shameless plug) and is explained below:

ING New York City Marathon runners, family, friends, and fans can all sign-up to track up to four (4) people on the course via e-mail. Splits will be reported at every 5K mark along the course as well as at the start, half-marathon mark (13.1 miles/21.1K), every mile after the half-marathon mark, and the finish. This service is free and is a great way to keep track of the pace and location of your favorite runners.To sign up you will simply need the names of the runners you wish to track and, of course, the e-mail address to which the splits should be delivered. [Athlete Alert Signup]

Many cell phones have e-mail capability, meaning that people on the course can receive on-the-spot updates of their runners' progress.

Just enter the 10-digit phone number and e-mail extension associated with your cell phone provider.

Some popular providers: AT&T / Cingular: 10 digits@txt.att.net or 10 digits@cingularme.com T-Mobile: 10 digits@tmomail.netVerizon: 10 digits@vtext.com[Athlete Alert Signup]

The result of signing up for Athlete Alert is you will be sent an email message as I pass every 5 kilometers along the course. For those not familiar with this system, there is a timing mat every 5 kilometers that senses a timing device attached to my running shoe...the result is an email sent directly to your address.

My scheduled start time is 10 a.m. Eastern, which means you should receive your first email shortly after that time on Sunday morning. Hopefully, the final email will be sent around four hours later.

If you do sign up, you can use the last name "Sankey" to find me as a runner. This will be easy since I'm the only Sankey in the race.