The TCS New York City Marathon is back this Sunday, as one of the largest productions on the annual sports calendar hits the Big Apple for the 40th time. IMG's production of the 2016 Marathon - which will be broadcast live on WABC-TV in the New York Tristate Area and ESPN2 nationally and will be available globally in 175 countries and territories - will comprise 33 cameras covering the 26.2-mile course, including a camera attached to the chair of U.S. Paralympian Josh George. IMG, which has produced the NYC Marathon since 1994, has also tapped SMT (SportsMedia Technology) to provide biometric data on 10 runners at the race - a first for the event.
Biometric Data Takes Center Stage With SMT
As in years past, real-time-data and graphics provider SMT is once again playing a major role in the NYC Marathon production - with a twist. For the first time, the company is providing biometric data on 10 runners via small electronic devices: two pro runners, two pro wheelchair athletes, two first-timers, two experienced, and two masters). SMT is collecting tracking, core-temp, heart-rate, and MPH data feeds, which are then sent to SMT's Biometric DMX for broadcast graphics (on behalf of client IMG) and for the GOTO Board at the Pavilion (on behalf of client NYRR). A biometric SportsCG will display live biometric data for a selected athlete, and the Pavilion board will have live biometric data on it for race day.
The WABC-TV/ESPN2 broadcast will feature this in-depth runner biometric data (branded Performance Metrics Powered by Tata Consulting Services). ESPN Sports Science host John Brenkus will break down the Performance Metrics live during the broadcast, which will include pro runners Craig Leon and Esther Atkins and pro wheelchair athletes Tatyana McFadden and George. ESPN will highlight runners' heart rate, breathing rate, and cadence and pace relative to the conditions of the course and environment, such as elevation, grade, and weather.
In addition to the biometric data, SMT is providing its Iso Track on-screen pointer graphic, allowing viewers to identify and track featured athletes as they run; a Track Map full-screen graphic that will show viewers the location of the leading runners and wheelchair athletes; and talent prompters that deliver real-time scoring and historical info to commentators. SMT will also provide a Common Man Crawl, which serves a lower-screen race crawl displaying the current place of elite men and women runners and wheelchair athletes, as well as the name of every participant crossing the finish line. The crawl will also feature live fan tweets and Instagram posts via SMT's DMX social-media publisher.
SMT will deliver content to broadcasters and to projection screens, LED displays, and interactive kiosks placed throughout the course.
On-Air Talent Lineup
The production staff of 150 will include 16 commentators, reporters, and analysts, with ESPN's Sage Steele (lead host of SportsCenter on the Road and weekend host of NBA Countdown) serving as race-day host for the first time. SportsCenter anchor John Anderson will call the play-by-play on race day for the fourth consecutive year, with marathon analysts Tim Hutchings and Carrie Tollefson providing commentary from the booth and running expert Toni Reavis and three-time New York City Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe serving as lead athlete moto reporters. The group will be joined by a number of reporters stationed along the course, as well as at the start and finish: Lewis Johnson and WABC-TV's Ryan Field, Laura Behnke, Amy Freeze, Anthony Johnson, and Kemberly Richardson, with John Del Giorno covering the scene from above in Newscopter 7.
The broadcast will also provide features on U.S. Olympians making their marathon debuts - Molly Huddle, Kim Conley, and Gwen Jorgensen - along with 17-time Paralympic medalist and four-time New York City Marathon champion McFadden.
Reporter David Willey will be catching up with interesting runners throughout the day, interviewing a variety of personalities while running alongside them during the race.
WABC-TV's Lead-Up to the Starting Line
Race coverage will be broadcast on ESPN from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. WABC-TV, besides offering extended coverage until 2:00 p.m., will provide a wealth of programming leading up to the race.
WABC-TV will air a total 10.5 hours of race-week coverage (including race day): the NYC Marathon Opening Ceremony featuring the Parade of Nations and the evening fireworks in Central Park. on Friday (5:30 p.m.); Countdown to the Starting Line, previewing the big names and storylines live from the Marathon Pavilion in Central Park. on Saturday (7:30 p.m.); and Eyewitness News Marathon Sunday (7 a.m.), which will feature coverage from Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, the starting line, reports from throughout the city, and aerial coverage from NewsCopter 7.
A two-hour condensed encore presentation of the race broadcast will air on ABC affiliates nationwide on Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. local time.
A Global Event: 175 countries, 850 Million Homes
Internationally, coverage of the race will be available to 850 million homes in the following countries and territories: Australia - Premiere Media Group (Fox Sports), Brazil - Globosat, Canada - CBC.ca, China - LeTV and regional sport channels, Cuba - Tele Rebelde, Europe - Eurosport, Germany - SportA (news access), India - Star, Italy - RAI, Japan - FujiTV, Mexico - Sky Mexico, Middle East - Dubai Sports, New Zealand - Sky, South Africa - SuperSport, Southeast Asia- Eurosport, Thailand - Cineplex, and Turkey - Dogus.
The 40th running of the five-borough course will also be available via the ABC app in New York and WatchESPN app nationally from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
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The TCS New York City Marathon is back this Sunday, as one of the largest productions on the annual sports calendar hits the Big Apple for the 40th time. IMG's production of the 2016 Marathon - which will be broadcast live on WABC-TV in the New York Tristate Area and ESPN2 nationally and will be available globally in 175 countries and territories - will comprise 33 cameras covering the 26.2-mile course, including a camera attached to the chair of U.S. Paralympian Josh George. IMG, which has produced the NYC Marathon since 1994, has also tapped SMT (SportsMedia Technology) to provide biometric data on 10 runners at the race - a first for the event. 
