Race Tracking
Real-Time Updates via RaceOwl
Racers must provide their position along the race course. This is required for our safety protocols. You may do this by phone app (RaceOwl Racer) or by satellite tracking device (e.g. Spot or Inreach). OR you can also text your position and time in and out of Official Checkpoints.
The RaceOwl System includes a website, two smartphone apps (RaceOwlRacer and RaceOwl), and racer tracking capability. Checkpoint and location data from RaceOwl provides real-time status and results of all racers during the MR340.
All racers and ground crews need to understand how this system works and be ready to use it during the race. Don't wait until the day before the race to learn this system!
We are very grateful for RaceOwl which is maintained by Jon Marble, a multi-year race veteran. Visit www.raceowl.com as you familiarize yourself with the information we have provided below. If after you've read about RaceOwl and have visited the site you still have unanswered questions, please reach out to raceowl.info@gmail.com.
TRAINING!!!! We have two webinars and one quickie video in 2026 to go over how the RaceOwl System works:
- Watch the "2026 RaceOwl for Racers App Training and Q&A" on YouTube.
- July 6, 7:00 p.m. CST - "RaceOwl for Ground Crews, Spectators and Volunteers" - Webinar hosted on Zoom. Click here for details and to register for the webinar. It will be posted to YouTube after the webinar.
- NEW - Jon Marble put together this quickie video about how to navigate and use some of the new features this year on the RaceOwl app (this is the app for Ground Crews, Volunteers and Spectators).
In addition to the training information provided on the RaceOwl site, join the Facebook group to catch any additional race community discussions.
A 6-page detailed document about RaceOwl can be found here.
RaceOwlRacer - For Racers
Racers must provide their position along the race course. This is required for our safety protocols. The simplest way is to run the RaceOwl Racer App (or to synchronize a Garmin InReach or Spot Tracker satellite device with RaceOwl - see below)
- The RaceOwlRacer app is for the racer.
- RaceOwlRacer provides:
- race status, Checkpoint check in/check out/DNF; tracking (automatic periodic upload of your position to RaceOwl.com)
- An OPTIONAL subscription includes navigation map services and voice feedback options (recommended).
- If you are successfully tracking on RaceOwlRacer, your Checkpoint check in/check out will happen automatically.
- All racers should download the RaceOwl Racer app for iOS or Android.
- Practice with it! Make sure you select the Missouri River 340 race and have entered your information in the registration screen. Go to "Tracking Status" and press 'ping location' so you can verify that there are no error messages.
- RaceOwlRacer Guide on the RaceOwl site can be found here.
- RaceOwlRacer app walk thru YouTube video created by Jon Marble can be found here.
Position Updates
- Boats are required to check in and out of Checkpoints.
- If you are successfully tracking, your Checkpoint check-in/check-out will happen automatically. There is no need to manually check-in or out.
- Otherwise - if tracking has failed for some reason, then you must check in and out manually from Checkpoints (NOTE - this is ONLY OFFICIAL CHECKPOINTS - not all ramps or paddlestops are Checkpoints. I.E. Lexington is NOT a Checkpoint. Waverly is the first Checkpoint you will come to while paddling)
- Your first official check-in on your phone is at Kaw Point Park during Race Check-In on Monday, July 7, 2025 between noon and 8 p.m. Please come with the app already installed on your phone. If you have questions we can help answer them there. Once you get that first check-in under your belt, the next one is the next day at Waverly. We will have some RaceOwl volunteers at this Checkpoint in case you need assistance too. If you don't check-in at Race Start, you will be considered DNS (Did Not Start) and make our volunteers grumpy if we have to fix it.
- If you DNF (Did Not Finish), you still must manually select the Checkpoint and DNF option in the RaceOwlRacer app.
Tracking by RaceOwl Racer App
- Start the app at least 30 minutes prior to Race Start. Go to the Tracking Status screen and press 'ping location'. Make sure there are no errors.
- Keep your app running during the race. You can turn off the screen to save battery, but make sure you don't accidentally exit the app.
- The app will periodically send position updates to raceowl.com as long as the app is running.
- The app will NOT be able to send your position when there is no cell service. During these times, the app will save all your position pings and then send them as a batch when service becomes available again.
OPTIONAL: Tracking by Satellite Device
- You can use a satellite tracker, such as Garmin InReach or SPOT Tracker. Download RaceOwlRacer as a backup if you use one of those systems.
- The benefit of using a satellite tracker is that you will have continuous connectivity over the entire race course. However, satellite trackers can be costly.
- Satellite tracker IDs MUST be registered with the RaceOwl website. Instructions for registration are included in the RaceOwl training material on the website. Please register your device as soon as possible after the race becomes available on RaceOwl.
Optional but recommended: RaceOwl Racer Navigation
- From the Menu on the RaceOwl Racer App, you can opt to subscribe to the Navigation feature for $1.99. Once activated, this feature will show a simple map of the river geolocated to your location showing wingdikes, the channel line and accesses. It can be set up to give verbal warnings if you veer from the channel line. It's extremely helpful, especially at night.
OPTIONAL: Manual check-in/out if all else fails
- Manual texting to check-in and out of Checkpoints is a last resort if a malfunction occurs with the auto check-in feature of RaceOwl.
- Manual texts to the RaceOwl text number (816-340-6395) should have the format:
- <boat number> <checkpoint> <day> <time> <am/pm> <in/out/>
- For example: When boat number 1234 arrives at Waverly just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, they text the following message to RaceOwl: 1234 Waverly tues 6:15 pm in
Phone Care:
- If you leave your screen on and in full sun, you’ll shorten your battery life. It’s okay to turn the screen off, but please leave the app running in the background with occasional voice feedback. This will reduce battery use.
- Be mindful to not let your phone battery die. Remember your required gear includes a cell phone with some form of extra battery life. Consider a 20k mah charging brick, and charge your phone in a shaded dry area (e.g. a waterproof electronics box).
RaceOwl - For Ground Crews and Spectators
- This app is for ground crews and all spectators.
- RaceOwl includes active race result info that can be filtered and sorted as needed during the race.
- Race Map shows a similar map as on the RaceOwl.com website race map with filter options, zoom in ability, and the ability to click on any boat on the map for more info about that boat.
- Beginning in 2025, boats are identified by Boat Name on the map, not boat number (but can still be searched by boat number)
- RaceOwl allows ground crews to check racers in and out of Checkpoints if needed.
- Racer boat names turn red if their position is stale – meaning RaceOwl.com hasn’t received any change in their location for an hour or more. This could be due to them being in an area with no cell service or their app being turned off or phone out of battery.
- Download the RaceOwl app here.
- RaceOwl iOS app walk thru YouTube video created by Jon Marble can be viewed here (updated 2025).
- RaceOwl Android App video (updated 2024) can be watched here.
Follow the Race on RaceOwl.com
Website Features:
- A live map showing the current locations of all tracked racers
- Rank ordered status and results
- Individual split times and estimated time of arrival at checkpoints
- Data retention for later viewing and analysis