What is MapRun?
It is a smart phone app “MapRun” that competitors load onto their Apple or Android phones. You should prefferably be running version 7 or higher.
How does it work?
MapRun uses the GPS on your smartphone to track your location. When you get within a few meters of the control site, your phone beeps and vibrates to tell you that you that the app has registered the control.
You can also print out a paper map and keep your phone in your pocket, or you may choose to only use the map on your phone.
What to Do...
Download MapRun onto your phone
Fill in personal details in the 'Name' section.
Go into 'select event'
Scroll down to New Zealand > Dunedin
Press Go To Start, then make your way to the Start, usually marked by a triangle on the map. Put Location Services on, if it's not on already. At the start location, your phone will vibrate/ping and your time has begun.
Now do the course! Make sure that each control registers by checking that your phone vibrates/pings. As soon as it does, you can move to the next control.
Most courses require you to finish at the same control where you started. At the Finish, you instantly see your time and result. If it has been off, put data or wifi on to manually upload your results. You can now compare your results to anyone else who has done the course.
Moss is our registered Club Administrator. Any questions, email him mosspelvin at gmail dot com or phone 473 7921.
Safe exercising using MapRun6
Unlike our usual events, there isn’t a Controller overseeing road crossings. Some of these courses cross busy roads.
Please shadow kids younger than about high school age if they are doing the courses, especially if they are borrowing your expensive phone, and crossing busy roads.
If you’re using a paper map to navigate, stow your phone in a zip pocket so it can’t slip out. Or if you’re using the phone to navigate, use one of those waterproof phone cases that have a cord that goes around your wrist.
General issues noticed with GPS/app
Can have trouble working on older phones. Note that MapRunG works on Garmin watches - see the MapRun website.
Sometimes need to slow down for controls and make sure phone has good view of the sky – some sites take a while to register (initially, someone checks the sites, so the controls are correct and functioning.)
Change your phone settings so that your phone doesn’t go to sleep between controls
The map does not rotate to align with north as you travel.
Different courses and phones have different proximity settings, as to how close you are when it beeps. It's usually about 10m.
Open the app before you get to the Start. If you only do it at the Start, you’ll waste seconds – as the course will have already started.