Overview
The Scanner App lets you scan participant ID cards during a session so miles, laps, and distance sync to your club in Marathon Kids.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to:
Download and sign in to the Scanner App
Start a live scanning session
Scan participant ID cards and confirm scans are recording
End scanning and confirm your session syncs (or is saved to resubmit later)
(Optional) Add more devices to help scan using Join Live Session
What you’ll need before you start
A Marathon Kids coach account with access to the correct club
Participant ID cards (printed from the web app)
A device with a camera
Device compatibility
iOS (iPhone/iPad) is supported.
Android phones and tablets are supported.
Chromebooks are supported.
Internet: when you do and don’t need it
You only need internet access to log in to the Scanner App. After you’re logged in, you can scan Participant ID cards without Wi-Fi or cellular data.
You need internet to: log in to the Scanner App.
You do not need internet to: scan Participant ID cards during your session.
At the end of every scanning session (even without internet), make sure you tap Stop Live Scanning, then Finish and Sync to save the session. If you’re offline, the session is stored so you can resubmit it later when internet is restored.
Step 1: Download the Scanner App
On the device you’ll scan with, open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Search for Marathon Kids Connect.
Tap Get (iOS) or Install (Android).
When the app finishes installing, tap Open.
If you’re scanning with multiple devices, install the Scanner App on each device before your session starts.
Step 2: Sign in to the Scanner App
Open the Scanner App.
Enter the email and password you use for Marathon Kids.
Tap Log in.
Step 3: Choose the correct club
After logging in, select your Club.
Confirm you’re in the correct club before scanning.
Step 4: Start a live scanning session
Select your Track/Activity for this session.
Tap Run to begin.
Tap Start Live Scanning.
What you should see
A camera/scanning screen that’s ready to scan cards
Optional: Add more devices with Join Live Session
Use Join Live Session when you want multiple devices to scan during the same session (for example, to help a class scan faster). A coach must start the live scanning session first.
Devices need Wi-Fi or cellular data to join a live session (to share and scan the QR code). After devices are joined, you do not need internet to scan ID cards.
For coaches (main device)
Start a scanning session (Step 4 above).
After the countdown begins, tap the QR code icon in the scanning window to display the “join” QR code.
Have volunteers/additional devices scan the QR code to join.
For volunteers or additional devices
Download and open the Scanner App.
Tap Join Live Session from the bottom of the log in screen.
Scan the QR code shown on the coach’s device.
Begin scanning after the countdown.
Chromebook note
If you’re using a Chromebook, start the live scanning session on the Chromebook first, then have phones/iPads/other devices use Join Live Session to join and scan.
For more details, see: Join Live Session
Step 5: Scan participant ID cards
Hold the participant ID card steady and point your device camera at the card’s code.
Wait for the scan to register.
Continue scanning the next participant’s card.
What you should see
The participant’s name or ID appears
Laps and/or distance begins populating for the participant
Double-scan prevention (15-second buffer)
To help prevent accidental double-scans, the Scanner App uses a 15-second buffer:
The buffer is per device.
It applies per participant (based on the participant’s ID card).
If the same device scans the same participant’s card again within 15 seconds, the second scan will not record.
Step 6: Finish scanning and confirm your session syncs
When you’re done scanning, you’ll stop live scanning, then finish and sync the session. If you don’t have internet, that’s OK—the Scanner App will save the session so you can resubmit it later.
Tap Stop Live Scanning.
Tap Finish and Sync.
If you have Wi-Fi or cellular data, keep the device connected until the session finishes syncing.
If you don’t have internet, still tap Finish and Sync. The session will be saved in your log history so you can resubmit it later when internet is restored.
If a session is saved in your log history and still needs to be resubmitted, do not delete the Scanner App. If you delete the app, any saved scans waiting to resubmit cannot be recovered.
After the session syncs, confirm it appears in the web app under Participants > Sessions.
Troubleshooting quick fixes
The card won’t scan
Wipe the camera lens and try again.
Move to brighter lighting and reduce glare on the card.
Hold the card steady and fill more of the screen with the card code.
I don’t have internet where I’m scanning
Log in to the Scanner App while you have internet.
You can scan without internet.
At the end, tap Stop Live Scanning, then Finish and Sync so the session saves for later resubmission.
I can’t join a live session (Invalid Token / token expired)
This usually happens when the device trying to join doesn’t have Wi-Fi or cellular data, or the join code has expired.
On the coach’s device (main device)
Tap Stop Live Scanning.
Start a new live scanning session.
Open the QR code again so devices can scan the new code.
On the device trying to join
Tap the back arrow.
Confirm you have Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Tap Join Live Session and scan the new QR code from the coach’s device.
Wi-Fi or cellular data is required while the main device is showing the QR code and additional devices are scanning it to join. After devices are joined, you don’t need internet to scan ID cards.
My session isn’t showing in the web app
Confirm you tapped Stop Live Scanning, then Finish and Sync.
Check the Scanner App log history to see if the session is saved and waiting to resubmit.
Connect to Wi-Fi/cellular data and resubmit when available.
Best practices for smooth scanning
Charge your device before your session (or bring a portable charger).
Keep your device software up to date, and turn on auto-updates for your apps.
Set your screen to stay awake while scanning.
If you’re scanning outside, shade your device to help prevent overheating and reduce glare.
If scanning with multiple devices, have the coach start the session first, then use Join Live Session on additional devices.
Always tap Stop Live Scanning, then Finish and Sync at the end of your session (even without Wi-Fi or cell service). This saves scans on each device so they can be resubmitted when internet is available.
FAQs
Can I use more than one device to scan?
Yes. Start the session on a coach’s device, then have additional devices join using Join Live Session. Devices need internet to join (to scan the QR code), but they don’t need internet to scan once they’re joined.
Do I need Wi-Fi the whole time?
No. You only need internet to log in (and to join a live session if you’re using Join Live Session). You can scan ID cards without internet. At the end, tap Stop Live Scanning, then Finish and Sync to save the session and resubmit later if needed.
Are Chromebooks supported?
Yes—Chromebooks are supported.
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