Marathon Organizers Use EUDI Wallets for Race Registration and Timing

European marathon organizers integrate EUDI Wallets for registration and participant verification.

The Problem of Identity Fraud in Mass Participation Running Events

Mass participation running events face a persistent and growing problem with identity fraud. Bib transfers, where registered runners sell or give their race entries to unauthorized participants, undermine fair competition, create safety risks, and distort race results. Major European marathons report that between 5% and 15% of finishers may be running under someone else's registration, a problem that intensifies as entry slots for popular events become increasingly scarce and valuable.

The safety implications are particularly serious. When a runner collapses on course and medical personnel consult the bib number to access emergency contact information and medical history, they may find data belonging to someone else entirely. This critical delay in obtaining accurate medical information can have life-threatening consequences. Additionally, unauthorized bib transfers defeat the purpose of age-category verification, medical certification requirements, and qualifying time checks that exist to protect participant safety.

The EUDI Wallet addresses these challenges by creating an unbreakable link between a runner's verified identity and their race credentials. When a runner registers using their EUDI Wallet, the event organizer issues a race credential that is cryptographically bound to the runner's digital identity. This credential cannot be transferred to another person's wallet, and verification at packet pickup, the start line, or finish line confirms that the person presenting the credential is the legitimate registrant.

Streamlined Registration and Packet Pickup

The traditional marathon registration process involves filling out lengthy online forms, submitting identity documents, providing medical certificates, and presenting qualifying time evidence. For runners who participate in multiple events annually, this repetitive data entry is tedious and time-consuming. The EUDI Wallet streamlines registration by allowing runners to present pre-verified credentials: identity attestation confirms their name and age category, a medical fitness credential confirms they have a valid sports medical certificate, and qualifying time credentials from certified timing companies verify their eligibility for specific events.

Packet pickup, traditionally one of the most frustrating aspects of race logistics, becomes dramatically faster with wallet-based verification. Instead of queuing at an expo venue with printed confirmation emails and physical ID, runners scan their EUDI Wallet at a kiosk that verifies their identity and race registration in seconds, dispensing their bib, timing chip, and race kit. The Berlin Marathon, which processes over 45,000 runner pickups in two days, estimates that wallet-based verification could reduce average pickup time from 8 minutes to under 90 seconds.

For race-morning operations, wallet verification at start corrals ensures that runners are in the correct start wave based on their qualifying times. This prevents the dangerous practice of slower runners positioning themselves in faster waves, which causes congestion and increases collision risk in the critical first kilometers of the race.

Verifiable Race Results and Qualification Credentials

One of the most innovative applications of EUDI Wallet technology in running is the issuance of verifiable race result credentials. When a runner completes a race, the timing company issues a verifiable credential containing the official finish time, age-group placement, and any qualifying standards met. This credential is stored in the runner's EUDI Wallet and can be presented when registering for future events that require qualifying times.

This eliminates a common pain point in marathon registration: proving qualifying times. Currently, runners must provide links to results pages, screenshots, or official certificates from previous races. Results pages can be altered, screenshots can be fabricated, and certificates from smaller events may not be recognized by major marathons. A verifiable credential issued by a certified timing company and signed with a qualified electronic seal provides cryptographic proof of the runner's performance that cannot be forged or altered.

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) is working with the European Athletics Association to develop standardized credential schemas for race results. This standardization means that a qualifying time earned at the Vienna Marathon is presented in the same verifiable format as one from the Rotterdam Marathon, enabling automated verification by all participating events.

Cross-Border Racing and European Running Tourism

European running events attract substantial cross-border participation. The Berlin Marathon draws runners from over 130 countries, while events like the Paris Marathon, Amsterdam Marathon, and Barcelona Marathon each welcome tens of thousands of international participants. For EU citizens, the EUDI Wallet eliminates the friction of international race registration by providing a standardized identity credential that every participating event recognizes, regardless of the runner's member state of origin.

This cross-border interoperability also enables innovative race series and passport programs. A runner competing in multiple European marathons can accumulate verifiable credentials from each event in their wallet, building a digital race portfolio that documents their competitive history. Multi-race challenges such as the European Marathon Majors concept, which encourages runners to complete marathons across multiple European capitals, become administratively simpler when participation and results are tracked through standardized wallet credentials.

Running tourism is a significant economic driver for host cities, generating an estimated 300 to 500 euros per participant in spending on accommodation, dining, and tourism. By reducing registration friction for international participants, EUDI Wallet integration could increase cross-border race participation and the associated economic benefits for host communities.

Safety, Medical Integration, and Future Developments

Beyond registration efficiency, EUDI Wallet integration enhances on-course safety through optional medical credential sharing. Runners can choose to include emergency contact details, blood type, known allergies, and pre-existing conditions as attributes in their race credential. This information is encrypted and accessible only to authorized medical personnel at aid stations along the course. In an emergency, a medical team can scan the runner's bib (linked to their wallet credential) and instantly access critical health information, even if the runner is unconscious or unable to communicate.

Looking ahead, race organizers envision additional wallet-based features including real-time tracking notifications for spectators (linked to the runner's consent), automated results sharing to social media platforms, charity fundraising verification, and integration with training platforms that can verify completion of recommended preparation programs. The running community's enthusiastic early adoption of EUDI Wallet technology suggests that sports events will become one of the wallet's most visible and popular use cases across Europe.