An app developed by Tata Consultancy Services will measure the environmental and social impact of next weekend’s London Marathon.
London Marathon Events, the organiser of the race, is using the cloud-based ReScore app developed by title sponsor TCS for the Council for Responsible Sport.
ReScore will enable LME to measure the environmental and social impact of the marathon, as well as report, verify, and certify against sustainability standards set by the Council.
For the 2023 event and beyond, ReScore will be a valuable tool for LME as it aims to reach net zero carbon emissions across its own operations by 2024.
Some of the steps LME is taking to reduce its carbon footprint include finisher T-shirts made from 100% recycled polyester, finisher bags made from recycled plastics, event power sourced from biofuelled generators and baggage vehicles fuelled by hydrotreated vegetable oil.
In other tech updates for this year’s race, TCS has made updates to the official TCS London Marathon app, downloaded nearly 400,000 times in 2022. The app is vital for supporters wanting to track participants’ progress around the course, and for Virtual TCS London Marathon participants to record their 26.2 miles.
The popular Belief Booster feature – which had 163,000 submissions in its debut year in 2022 – enables supporters to encourage runners with messages. This year, messages will be displayed on a screen near the halfway line, close to the junction of The Highway and Artichoke Hill, as well as on the LED gantry on the event’s famous finish line on The Mall, as they were last year. Messages will also be shared in a post-race email to the participant, along with an option to upload to social media.
In addition, participants can use a new feature in the app called ‘New for 2023!’ to scan their 2023 TCS London Marathon race bib and display the #WeRunTogether video featuring participants who showcase the spirit of the event.
Further, TCS has been working with LME on a new cloud-hosted backend data platform that boosts the accuracy and consistency of the data and enables LME to better understand its customers. TCS has also developed API-driven integrations into LME’s core business systems, such as with its new marketing provider.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director, TCS London Marathon, commented: “A key feature of our partnership with TCS is a focus on using technology to improve the event, which is already paying dividends.
“We are passionately committed to maximising our social impact and minimising the environmental impacts of the TCS London Marathon and our other events. The ReScore app has introduced us to a better way of measuring and tracking impact and is already proving to be a valuable tool as we work towards certification.”