Facial recognition adopted for SZ marathon

Writer: Zhang Yu  | Editor: Holly Wang  | From:  | Updated: 2018-12-07

Email of the writer: JeniZhang13@163.com

A facial recognition system will be used for the 2018 Shenzhen International Marathon to eradicate irregularities and ensure a fair competition for runners, the organizers of the marathon event said at a news conference Thursday.

The application of the system is aimed at eliminating cheaters and improving the efficiency of claiming essential items for the race, according to the organizers.

Meanwhile, this year’s marathon has also adopted anti-cheating wristbands to prevent contestants from hiring substitute runners.

Runners will have to be verified through the facial recognition system when they receive their competition packages. After the verification, the staffers will give a wristband to each runner, which will be used as a registration and entry pass for the marathon until it is over.

The 2018 Shenzhen International Marathon is scheduled for Dec. 16, bringing together a total of 30,000 running enthusiasts from home and abroad. This year, the marathon canceled the 6-km run and offered 15,000 spots for the full length and 15,000 for the half-length races.

At present, the preparatory work, such as registration, referee selection, recruitment and training for official pace-setters and volunteers, allocation of bib numbers and track measurement, has all been completed, according to the organizers.

In terms of event organization, 224 referees, 58 official pace-setters and 3,047 volunteers were recruited this year. Meanwhile, general training and on-the-job training were also organized to enhance the professionalism of volunteers.

A total of 350 medical staff and 1,120 medical volunteers will be selected for the marathon. In accordance with the risk level of certain race sections, the organizers will dispatch 25 ambulances and set up 23 medical points with 148 automatic external defibrillators.

The medals and running clothes for this year’s Shenzhen marathon were also unveiled at the news conference.

The medals feature a roc in the middle spreading its wings, accompanied by other elements, including the city’s landmarks, clouds and the number 40 to pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. The main color of the clothes is blue, representing the runner’s spirit and courage to push it to the limit.