By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking offers a wide variety of benefits to individuals, groups, and businesses. Due to the broad potential of this technology, more creative uses have rapidly begun to surface. No longer limited to simple location verification in real time, GPS tracking devices can monitor fuel usage, location and length of stops made, speed of travel, and distance traveled. Although we typically think of GPS devices being used for tracking personal property (automobiles and laptops) or other people (children, spouses, elderly parents), they are increasingly being used by athletes for both personal performance and safety reasons. In particular, runners benefit from using GPS watches or cell phones, some of which are linked to software specifically designed to keep track of running performance.

For most, the primary reason for purchasing a personal GPS tracking device is safety and runners are no exception. They carry transmitters so that a family member or friend can check on them if they are gone longer than planned. Many of these devices have a call button that can be pressed if the runner is in danger. The button sends a signal to its receiving device, letting another person know that help is needed.

A secondary reason many runners choose to utilize GPS devices is that more companies are designing their transmitters specifically with athletes in mind. Watches and cell phones with built-in GPS transmitters keep track of a runner’s route, distance, pace and speed, and can download this information to a computer in order to generate reports. In this way, runners can easily keep track of personal performance goals and achievements via detailed workout analyses. It’s like having a personal trainer along for each day’s run. On race day, equipping runners with GPS tracking devices allows race coordinators to track each participant’s progress and position, a benefit especially for marathon runners who have been known to suffer from heat exhaustion or dehydration on hot days.

The two subjects which must always occupy a runner’s mind while out on the trail are safety and performance. While GPS tracking does not negate the need for being aware of surroundings, it can provide a measure of security by notifying someone else of the runner’s whereabouts at any given time. In addition, the runner can benefit from easy access to performance information and workout analyses. For runners of all ability levels, GPS technology is well worth the investment in terms of safety and training assistance.