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Satnews Daily
April 7th, 2017

Making a Marathon Safer with Globlstar's SPOT Gen3


Globalstar Inc. (NYSE MKT:GSAT), and its subsidiarysd Globalstar Europe Satellite Services, LTD., have revealed that all of the competitors in this year’s MARATHON DES SABLES (MDS) will carry a small, lightweight, SPOT Gen3 safety device on their backpack.

The SPOT Gen3 allows race organizers, support teams and supporters to precisely track each competitor’s location and its one-touch S.O.S. button allows competitors to request help at any time. The service is provided by Globalstar’s valued added reseller (VAR) partner and geolocation specialist WAA Tracking, and includes a geo-fencing feature that alerts organizers when a runner is straying off-course as they cross the vast Sahara Desert.

For the first time, WAA Tracking is making it possible for family and supporters to follow the race live and track the performances of chosen competitors. Viewers can see competitors’ rankings on each leg of the race. They are also notified by email when their chosen competitors approach the end of each stage so they can watch them cross the line live on the webcam.

The MDS, taking place from April 7th to 17th 2017, is a grueling, seven day, 250km extreme foot race in high temperatures through Morocco. Competitors carry the bare minimum, including bedding and food. Thanks to SPOT’s accuracy, in last year’s race, the MDS team was able to precisely locate 22 competitors in distress and quickly dispatch rescue personnel to where it was needed. All race marshals also carry the small, rugged SPOT devices, and they will also be attached to security and medical vehicles, helicopters and even a camel.

marathondessables.com/