As thousands of runners from around the world get ready to run the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon this weekend, TCS’s futurists came together to imagine a world where technology has empowered anyone, at any age or background, to run marathons.
In 20 years, could we see everyone from first-time 20-somethings to octogenarians run and complete the 2044 TCS New York City Marathon with the aid of emerging technologies?
As science and technology advance, access to marathons will be democratized and anyone will be able to enjoy the proven health benefits of long-distance running. Initiatives like TCS’s Future Athlete Project are already showing how technology can adapt to the unique needs of different runners, from demonstrating cardiac remodeling of one of the world’s healthiest hearts, Des Linden’s, to showing the impact of running on any heart, through the power of digital twins.
In the future, improvements in AI and digital twin technology will combine with robotic exoskeletons, 4D-printed material, and more to make running safer and more accessible.
