dibber or die !!

[andy k]

one day we'll be able to track everyone in a race by location. .

Orienteering is already there with live GPS tracking of the big races.
Runners carry a transmitter, and their position / route is displayed in real time on the competition map.
You can basically follow the whole race as the runners progress, see their routes, watch them find or miss control points, gain or lose time on other runners.
Its only put on in major / high profile races, European Champs in June, World Champs next month, a big Swedish race series, big relays.

Here is the Mens Final in the middle distance race at the recent European Champs in Sweden.
Click and drag the map (or zoom in / out) to find the start triangle (which is over on the right)
Click on the play arrow top left, wait about ten seconds and the first runner will set off, then the second.
This replay is speeded up but gives a clear idea of the capability.

http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20120517EOCMidMF/