For sophomore mid-distance runner Carson Lane, track isn’t just about competition — it’s about innovation. While balancing training and academics, the Iowa track and field athlete has launched a business centered on affordable pacing technology for runners.
Lane, a middle-distance runner for the University of Iowa men’s track and field team, created Stridelane, an LED light-pacing technology that helps runners hit their pace times. The system connects to a timing device, sets a predetermined goal pace, and once the starting signal is received, it lights up with a sequence of lights that runners pursue around the track at their target speed.
“In distance races especially, you usually want to have an even split or get the split as accurate as possible,” Lane said. “Stridelane allows runners to simply look down and know they are on pace.”
As a successful high school and collegiate track athlete, Lane became familiar with pacing technologies through his own experience. A business analytics and information systems major, he has applied his coursework directly to Stridelane, developing skills in coding, networking, and entrepreneurship. Although he always had an entrepreneurial mindset, he did not pursue it until he realized he could create pacing technology at a much more reasonable price.
While pacing lights aren’t new to the sport, Stridelane’s affordable price sets it apart from the other existing options.
“There’s technology similar to Stridelane out there, but that technology is only used at the world-class level, and it’s very unaffordable for teams,” Lane said. “I wanted one in-house that I could use and provide to other schools on an affordable scale.”
To rent Stridelane, the base rate is $1,000, but if you were to purchase the whole system, it goes for between $15,000-$20,000. One of its competitors, Wavelight, charges $7,000 to rent, and upward of $50,000 to buy.
Stridelane has been used at multiple indoor and outdoor track meets, contributing to strong performances and expanding Lane’s business.
Stridelane made its debut at the Jimmy Grant Alumni Invitational on Dec. 13 at the Hawkeye Indoor Track Complex, where 19 athletes earned personal records and set two meet records, proving just how successful this technology can be.
As it continues to be used in competition, athletes and coaches say it enhances performance and atmosphere.
“Stridelane pace lights were a game changer at our meet, enhancing the competition as well as creating a great environment for the athletes and fans,” Wick Cunningham, the assistant track and field director at Northwest Missouri State University, said, according to the Stridelane website.
Stridelane was used at the Bearcat Invite on Feb. 6-7.
Stridelane’s success has been prominent. However, like any other business, it had its challenges at the start.
“I built the product before I had a single customer. Then I leveraged my network to land sales across multiple meets and coaches,” Lane said. “However, the biggest challenge in the beginning was overcoming doubt.”
Before investing in the idea, Lane said it was easier to consider not pursuing it at all.
“This is pretty common and is why when people have great ideas, they actually don’t pursue them,” Lane said. “Overcoming that doubt and committing to my vision led me to where I’m at, and I try to keep that same mentality when making any decision.”
Lane has one piece of advice to give to those who have an idea: “Don’t fear failure.”
Even though he was hesitant at first to pursue his idea of an affordable pacing technology, he stuck with it and has created a successful business that he sees as promising for the future.
With plans to expand Stridelane and introduce new tools, Lane is working to make high-level pacing technology accessible to runners at every level. Lane hopes to make Stridelane a household name in track and field, expanding its reach while continuing to innovate.
“My goal is to lead that growth while expanding the product suite, including an AI coaching tool I’m building to bring top-tier coaching to athletes at every level,” Lane said.