HRM with GPS works in races with many participants?

snusp
snusp Posts: 93 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've signed up for the ING NYC Marathon and would like to know if a HRM with GPS would actually work amongst 45 000 other runners. Anyone know?

Replies

  • snusp
    snusp Posts: 93 Member
    Or in NYC with all the tall buildings for that matter!
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I would suggest a Garmin.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Other runners are not an issue with GPS. The issue is line of sight to the sky. Tall building or big tree can muck up your GPS.

    I wore my Garmin at NYC marathon and don't recall having any issues (even on the lower level of the bridge at the start).
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    I was in mid and downtown Manhattan last week walking with my Garmin and it was fine.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    The other runners around you won't have any effect at all, or almost none.

    GPS receivers from all manufacturers have come a long way. Many of them have programming to help counter the "urban canyon" effect and most do a pretty good job at it. I ride my bike in heavy tree cover all the time, and I can see the difference in tracking accuracy, but it's rarely off by enough to matter.
  • snusp
    snusp Posts: 93 Member
    Thank you for your answers!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I had no problems with my Garmin in a 20,000 person event - it dropped out running through a tunnel (as expected) but picked right up again at the other end.

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