Attracting over 11,000 runners from across the UK and beyond, the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon has become a must-do event for both serious athletes and casual runners alike. It offers participants a challenging yet scenic 13.1 mile course that winds its way through some of the city's most iconic landmarks and picturesque neighborhoods with a festive atmosphere, enthusiastic supporters, and a reputation for being one of the most well-organised races in the country.
Founder of SkyTech Cambridge, Marc Mann, commented: “It is fantastic to be invited back by organisers of the Cambridge Half Marathon, OSB Events and Two26 Photography. We are looking forward to providing them with high quality aerial media as well as assisting them to deliver a safe and enjoyable event by providing real-time visual oversight for the duration of the event.”
With state-of-the-art equipment and an experienced team of pilots and camera operators, SkyTech Cambridge has revolutionised the way in which race organisers can monitor and manage large-scale events. Using the latest drone and streaming technologies, they are able to transmit a secure high resolution live video feed, allowing organisers to monitor the movement of runners and crowds, and detect any potential security or safety issues in real-time.
The technical challenge
Live streaming at large-scale events can present significant technical challenges, particularly in areas where network connectivity is limited. Use of 4G/5G for live streaming was not possible last year due to the high contention of the network so SkyTech Cambridge used a high-bandwidth dedicated local wifi connection which guaranteed a high-quality live stream was transmitted. They will also be testing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet connection at the event this year. With much of the work that SkyTech Cambridge carries out being in remote areas with patchy network coverage, it is expected that this exciting new technology may be the future of their connectivity requirements for drone operations.
Adam Moffat, Race Director, commented: “Having a drone feed provided by SkyTech into our multi agency control center has greatly assisted the management of the Cambridge Half Marathon. It allows us to make real time decisions with our team on the ground, based on live footage. Furthermore, it has allowed us to review our site layout and athlete/spectator flows post event making informed decisions for future years.”
