NVT TBus® IP transmission secured 2014 TCS New York City Marathon

First held in 1970 by the New York Road Runners Club (NYRR), with just 127 competitors running loops around Central Park, today, the annual New York City Marathon runs through all five boroughs of New York City and is the largest marathon in the world.

The Mission
For the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, NYRR entrusted the supply of digital information transport services and a technology push package, to New York based IP network & electronic security specialists, Virsig LLC. On the day of the marathon, the temporary system would be used to provide increased operational situational awareness, digital information transport for surveillance cameras, voice annunciators, media broadcast, and digital signage, including Jumbotron large-screen televisions.

The Solution
For the 2014 event, due of the limitations of installing signal over long and costly fibre runs, Virsig opted to transport digital signals over less expensive and more flexible coax cable. Allowing long cable runs to be readily deployed across the TCS New York City Marathon start at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, Virsig chose reliable Transmission Bus (TBus) IP transmission technology from Network Video Technologies (NVT).

Working in compliance under the National Park Service, US Park Police and the US Coast Guard Police authorities, NVT single and 4-channel TBus Ethernet over UTP/Coax transmitters, surveillance cameras, wireless nodes and antennas were installed in strategic light pole locations. The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) worked with Virsig to keep the power supply to the poles energized at all times, to power the temporary equipment forming the cost-effective 150Mbs Ethernet over Coax (EoC) transmission network.

The high-availability IP network was installed using RG59 coax with spans of over 3,000ft (914m) across the open space at Fort Wadsworth, home to the US Coast Guard and US Army Reserves. Ultimately, close to four miles of communication cable was installed from pole to pole, and over structures, fences and high up between trees. In the race command center (RCC), Virsig installed a wall of commercial grade monitors to be used as part of the primary camera viewing station. A Seneca viewing station was utilized to control tactical camera operations and Firetide Hotview Pro software was installed on the system to provide monitoring of the network via the marathon’s Smart Wall – which supplied up to 36 simultaneous camera views.

TBus Ethernet over UTP/Coax transmitters and surveillance cameras were installed both on the city’s streets and within Central Park. Above the finish line on a steel Photo Bridge (where ESPN and other media were located on the day of the race), Virsig positioned cameras and wireless nodes to record the race finish and capture the crossing of the finish line by every participant. Another camera was positioned at post-finish to observe the chokepoint – a sensitive area behind the race finish.

The Result
Early on the Sunday morning of the race, over 50,000 competitors ran across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island into Brooklyn, on the start of their 26.2 mile journey. A few hours later as large numbers of runners started to enter Central Park, the Virsig technology push package demonstrated its full capability. The monitoring station in the RCC displayed dozens of cameras, which fed real-time data to the race staff and incident commanders – increasing overall situational awareness.

In Staten Island, the Jumbotrons and systems that needed information transport worked fine. The near four miles of cable Virsig strung along with Network Video Technologies’ TBus Ethernet Transmitters operated flawlessly. The race went on until after dark, and while the last runners were wrapping up the course at Central Park, the Sony IPELA cameras still demonstrated amazingly bright clear images. And thankfully, while there weren’t any major anomalies or glitches at the race, if there would have been, the high-quality recorded camera video would have been available to the marathon’s management and law enforcement personal for evaluation of evidence.

“My experience with the NVT TBus technology is nothing short of spectacular,” says Adam Roth, VP of Technology, Virsig LLC. “The alternative to using NVT’s TBus products would have been fibre.  However, the cost and time to install fibre (including man-hours), would have been at least 3 times more. Once the NVT TBus equipment was paired, it took only minutes to connect the equipment at both ends.  The performance was equal to the experience and we’ll use the NVT TBus products again in the future.”

All together, the massive IP networked technology solution was a success and for the next world-class marathon event, the same system will be used again but in an expanded format.

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Olympics

Hanwha Vision cameras assist Olympic athletes in France

Hanwha Vision Europe has installed video surveillance in Paris, France to aid Olympic athletes and coaching in training and preparation.
Infloblox

Olympics Scammers Take Their Marks, Get Set, and Go!

Infoblox Threat Intel explores how bad actors are taking advantages of the public’s interest in the Olympic games from both…
Olympics

Enhancing Security at the Olympics with Facial Recognition

Sports hold profound significance in the lives of athletes, nations, and citizens alike, fostering a sense of unity and national pride.
Kate Hotson from Paxton visited the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospit

Paxton Employees Vote to Fundraise for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

The Brighton-based security technology developer, Paxton, is supporting the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity as their 2024 Charity of the Year
halo

Halo scores hat-trick for football club security

Halo Solutions – the UK’s leading crowd safety and security operations platform  – has scored a hat-trick after Premier League club…
Heras

Janet Shelley MBE joins Heras

The UK permanent perimeter protection solutions arm of Heras has appointed Janet Shelley MBE as a Business Development Manager…
CLD

CLD Redefines Security with Sustainable Rental Solutions

North West-based business CLD Physical Security Systems, the leading manufacturer and supplier of rigid mesh fencing…
Asgard

SBD accredited Asgard bike storage shed

Secured by Design member company Asgard Storage once again helps up-and-coming athletes to safely secure their…

Heras makes Sharpe appointment

Heras – Europe’s end-to-end supplier of permanent and mobile perimeter protection solutions – has made another key strategic appointment as it continues to expand its team and build for growth.
LILIN OneAV

LILIN UK announce OneAV as UK distribution partner

Meeting through LILIN’s sponsorship of the Marathon Des Sables fundraiser for Together for Cinema, LILIN and OneAV found a shared interest.
Scroll to Top