What is MapRun?

MapRunners (http://maprunners.weebly.com/) has a smart phone app “MapRun6” that competitors load onto their Apple or Android phones.

MapRun6 is the newest version of the App. While older versions (e.g. MapRunF) may continue to work, it is recommended that you now upgrade to MapRun6 for better performance.

This software is the brainchild of Peter Effeney, an Orienteer from Brisbane. With a bit of funding from Orienteering Australia but mostly with a huge amount of enthusiasm, Peter has created this app which is now used extensively in Australia and in other countries around the world.

How does it work?

MapRun6 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. If it is a Rogaine, you are automatically allocated the control points and can keep running without a pause. If it is a linear orienteering event, the app ensures competitors do the controls in the correct order and allows for the normal complexities such as pivot controls. 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.

1. Download MapRun6 onto your phones.

2. Fill in personal details in the 'Name' section. Once results are uploaded, this can be used for Contact Tracing.

3. Go into 'select event', which will take you to a list of countries and scroll down to New Zealand. Alternatively, select "Events Near Me" for a list of local events.

4. In New Zealand, select Dunedin and then a course.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Map accuracy for BubbleRun courses

We started using MapRunner during Level 4, when we needed neighbourhood courses.

Map layout isn't great on the first BubbleRun courses - it was a learning curve! The lines between the controls on your digital phone copy are connected, but aren't on the PDF's.

We used free software Open Orienteering Map operating off a wiki system where the public correct and add information. It does not have the detail that our specific orienteering maps have, and there are no contours. There are a number of foot paths missing or not in the right place, or marked as paths when they are steps. Contact Fraser Stephens (fraser@pefe.co.uk) if you want a correction made to the map.

Real event maps & courses

After we got back to Level 1, we invested in the software that allowed us to create MapRun courses on high quality orienteering maps that we used for actual club events held on publicly accessible areas. These courses are in the Events folders. Their PDF's are not up on the website. Instead we can sell you for a koha / donation the leftover waterproof map that we used for the event. Some of the courses cover A3 size maps. You could try just using your phone to see the course, but the detail is so fine it would be awkward to keep running. If you want a map of these Dunedin based Event courses, come along to an event - they are in the club caravan.

Can you bike it?

Once you’ve run a course, you may realise it is also bikable. Let Moss know, and he can create a 2^nd copy of it that is the Bike version of the course.