Sporting event logistics system

Abstract

A sporting event logistics system for use by a spectator in connection with attendance at a sporting event, the system comprising a map of a sporting event venue with predetermined rendezvous locations provided thereon, a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing predicted sporting event times with the predetermined rendezvous locations, a personalized event schedule listing information relating to the sporting event and the spectator, a personalized crew contact schedule listing contact information for crew members, and a carrying device adapted to carry the map, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule, and personalized crew contact schedule.

1 . A sporting event logistics system for use by a spectator in connection with attendance at a sporting event, the system comprising: 
 a map of a sporting event venue with predetermined rendezvous locations provided thereon;    a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing predicted sporting event times with the predetermined rendezvous locations;    a personalized event schedule listing information relating to the sporting event and the spectator;    a personalized crew contact schedule listing contact information for crew members; and    a carrying device adapted to carry the map, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule, and personalized crew contact schedule.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the personalized pace schedule is color-coded to indicate particular predetermined rendezvous locations for particular crew members.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more tickets relating to the sporting event.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the personalized event schedule lists pre-event or post-event activities relative to the sporting event.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a photograph of a sporting event participant.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined rendezvous locations are determined based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of: the pace of a specified participant in the sporting event, the proximity of the rendezvous locations to each other, the proximity of the rendezvous locations to public transportation, the time required for the spectator to reach successive rendezvous locations, and facilities available near rendezvous locations.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the schedules collectively provide information selected from the list consisting of: names of other spectators, contact information of other spectators, public transportation information, lodging information, food service information, and itinerary information.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a tether attached to the carrying device, said tether being adapted to hang around a spectator's neck.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sporting event is a running event.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of said schedules are provided on the screen of a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more said spectators are provided with a unique identifying attire.  
   
   
       12 . A running event logistics system for use by a spectator in connection with observing a participant in the running event, the system comprising: 
 a map of a running event venue with predetermined rendezvous locations for the participant and spectator provided thereon;    a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing times with the predetermined rendezvous locations, wherein the predetermined rendezvous locations are determined based on historical pace data for the participant and the predicted time required for the spectator to reach successive rendezvous locations;    a personalized event schedule listing personalized information relating to the running event and the spectator;    a personalized crew contact schedule listing contact information for crew members; and    a carrying device adapted to carry the map, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule, and personalized crew contact schedule.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined rendezvous locations are further based on the proximity of the rendezvous locations to each other, the proximity of the rendezvous locations to public transportation, or the facilities available near rendezvous locations.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the personalized pace schedule is color-coded to indicate particular predetermined rendezvous locations for particular crew members.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising one or more tickets relating to the running event.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the personalized event schedule lists pre-event and post-event activities relative to the running event.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a photograph of the participant.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the schedules collectively provide information selected from the list consisting of: names of other spectators, contact information of other spectators, public transportation information, lodging information, food service information, and itinerary information.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a tether attached to the carrying device, said tether being adapted to hang around a spectator's neck.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the running event is a marathon.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 12  wherein one or more of said schedules are provided on printed cards.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 12  wherein one or more said spectators are provided with a unique identifying attire.  
   
   
       23 . A method of communicating to a sporting event spectator, potential locations and times for rendezvous with a sporting event participant, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving historical pace data for a participant;    predicting a participant pace for the sporting event based on the historical pace data;    predicting a spectator pace for the sporting event;    determining a plurality of possible rendezvous locations based on the sporting event venue layout;    determining rendezvous locations and times based on the predicted participant pace, the predicted spectator pace, and the possible rendezvous locations; and    communicating the determined rendezvous locations and times to the spectator using a map and textual information.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of determining rendezvous locations and times is further based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of: the availability of public transportation, the proximity of public transportation to the sporting event, the proximity of restrooms to the sporting event, and the proximity of food service to the sporting event.