Maprun Getting Started
The first thing you need to do to get going is to download and install the maprun app. Note that there is a new version of maprun now available, called Maprun6, and we strongly recommend that you install that rather than the older Maprun app. Or you can search for the app called Maprun6, by FNE Enterprises.
Once installed, you need to enter a small amount of personal information – name and so on – to identify yourself in the results system.
You should also check that your phone is correctly set up for Maprun. Click here for guidance on phone settings for the Maprun app.
You are then ready for your first Maprun course.
- Start the app.
- Tap Select Event. You’ll need to scroll down to the UK folder, and then into North Yorkshire, and then the folder of the nearby town.
Alternatively, go somewhere near the start, and click on “Events Near Me” - Select the course you want to run.
- Wait for the course and map files to download, and then tap Go to Start.
The course is now live, and will start logging your track and time when you pass through the Start. Before you pass through and record the Start, your location and track are shown on the screen so that you can see if your GPS is working. These will disappear as you start.
Also, in the footer of the screen is shown:
GPS accuracy, and a button to centre the screen on the current location.
At each “control”, your phone will vibrate, ding, and a banner will pop up on the screen to show which control you have “punched” – this is done by comparing your GPS location to the one programmed in the course. It will also show the elapsed time and number of controls you have collected.
Remember that you need to pass through the Finish to stop the timer.
Your results should be uploaded automatically to the Maprun server. If they are, you will see a prompt on the screen to allow you optionally to upload to Strava. If not, you should see a prompt simply to upload results.
Finally, you can compare your results with others on the same course, and view the route you took. You’ll very quickly get the hang of the technology. Here are a few tips for getting the best out of your run, and maximising your points haul….
- Knowing how far you can run in 45 minutes and planning a route that is shorter than this!
- Picking a good order to visit checkpoints that is efficient and avoids running back past locations you’ve already been to
- Counting how many contours your route will cross – these mean going up or downhill and the direction of slope may not be obvious from the map.
- Spotting the fastest (normally the shortest) route between individual checkpoints.
- Looking for clusters of controls.
- Leaving some controls close to the finish to pick up on the way back – if you have time!
All of these will get easier with experience, and you may find you score better the second time you run a course!