Revolutionizing Race Timing at the 2025 Mesa Marathon
On February 8, 2025, Mesa, Arizona, hosted a groundbreaking event in the world of endurance sports—the Mesa Marathon. This year’s marathon featured not only the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles but also a half marathon (13.1 miles), a 10K, and an Amazon Kids 1K. The marathon, owned and produced by Brooksee, embraced cutting-edge technology to elevate the race experience for athletes and spectators alike.
Advanced Timing Technology: The Key to Real-Time Athlete Tracking
Brooksee introduced its innovative timing technology, Laurel, employing 167 timing checkpoints throughout the course. This advanced setup offered near real-time athlete positioning through a patented, active, disposable chip technology. “The 2025 Mesa Marathon featured the highest timing checkpoint frequency in industry history, achieving athlete positioning every 0.15 miles,” said a Brooksee representative. This new benchmark surpassed the previous record, reinforcing Laurel’s status as a leader in race timing technology.
AI-Generated Race Recaps Enhance Participant Experience
Adding to the excitement, the marathon also marked the launch of Brooksee’s ‘Laurel Intelligence’ technology. This innovation translates raw timing data into AI-generated race recaps that provide each participant with a personalized and sharable experience. The high level of engagement seen at the event correlates with the increasing demand for such individualized race reports that allow runners to relive their race day moments long after crossing the finish line.
High Performance and Reliability at the Finish Line
At the finish line, Laurel achieved a remarkable 99.95% read rate, outshining a leading legacy timing system’s 99.82% read rate. Any instances of missed reads were swiftly addressed, allowing participants to enjoy a seamless experience. According to Brooksee, “Despite the high timing checkpoint density, the entire Laurel system was deployed in just two hours by a four-person team, showcasing not only ease of installation but also heightened reliability.”
Impressive Participation and Spectator Engagement
The 2025 Mesa Marathon attracted over 10,000 registered participants from all 50 states and 30 countries, along with more than 25,000 spectators. Phil Dumontet, CEO of Brooksee, remarked, “The incredible surge in tracking and viewership at Mesa far exceeded our expectations, clearly demonstrating the demand for participant and spectator engagement features that Laurel provides.” This unprecedented level of engagement showcases the evolving landscape of marathon events, driven largely by technological advancements.
The Benefits of Real-Time Tracking for All Involved
Laurel aims to enrich the experience not just for athletes, but also for event directors, law enforcement, and spectators. Real-time visibility of athlete positions enhances safety protocols and allows for quicker response times in emergencies. For spectators, improved tracking eliminates uncertainty about a runner’s location on the course, providing reassurance and fostering a more engaging experience. As the popularity of event tracking continues to grow, technologies like Laurel are becoming essential components of successful endurance races.
A Bright Future for Laurel and Brooksee
Looking ahead to 2025, Laurel’s technology is set to support over 200 races across the United States, including notable events like the Ragnar Relay, Every Woman’s Marathon, Seattle Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Portland Marathon, and the Phoenix Marathon. Brooksee is committed to upgrading its infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for advanced tracking technologies, reiterating its vision to enhance the endurance sports experience for participants and fans alike. For more information about the Mesa Marathon, visit www.mesamarathon.com.
