Capability Statement 

This page aims to provide a concise summary of the capability of the MapRun system.
Summary

MapRun is targeted primarily at Orienteering Clubs (or similar) who want a convenient way to conduct regular club events. MapRun offers a form of Orienteering that doesn’t require physical controls in the field, saving time and effort for organisers, and allowing events to be left open for participation over an extended period of time. Results are automatically published. See www.maprunners.com.au.

What the runner needs
  • The free MapRun SmartPhone App for Android and iPhones, or MapRunG Watch App for Garmin Watches, or
  • In “Any Track” mode any device that can upload a track to Strava.
  • The MapRun App is available in multiple languages including: English, Danish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Punching
  • Punching is typically GPS-based (to avoid having to put out controls). 
  • Tag-based punching using QR-Codes and NFC tags is also available (requiring smartphones with appropriate capability).

Formats of Events
  • Line, Scatter, Score (with multiple “standard” scoring schemes and a customisable scoring scheme using parameters)
  • Mass Start at a scheduled time
  • “Start Anywhere” allows a runner to commence on a course at any control (whilst still requiring completion of the full event)
  • Hidden controls are supported for Radio Direction Finder Events (or novelty events)
  • Events are typically kept confidential with a 4-digit PIN (at least until the scheduled start time)
  • Events can have allowed date ranges for participation, for results display and track display (useful for events over an extended period of time)
  • Live Tracking of runners who are running with the MapRun App, is available (accessible by Administrators only for confidentiality and privacy reasons)

Simple Lifecycle of a Published Event
  • An approved “MapRun Administrator” typically associated with an Orienteering/Sports Club, controls the events in a set of folders of events
  • The Administrator uses an "Admin Console" to publish an event using a Map file in KMZ format and a Course file in KML format. Additional information such as a printable map etc can also be uploaded or linked. The Administrator also has control of an extensive array of settings for each event (and the ability to lock these settings or allow users to change them).
  • Participants select the event from the list in MapRun, or use the "Events Near Me" function, or scan a QR Code that directs them to the event. Users can "send" the event to a Garmin Watch if they are using MapRunG.
  • Participants run in the event, either at a scheduled time or over a period of a week or month or ....  (or as a permanent course)
  • Participants typically run with a printed paper map that can be provided at the start (for a scheduled event) or can be provided as a PDF file for self-printing. It is also possible to run simply using the map on the screen of a SmartPhone.
  • Results are immediately available on phones and the website as runners finish (showing a table of results and runners tracks). Replay of tracks using standard RouteGadget functions is supported. Results are in standard format and can be exported to systems such as WinSplits.

Costs
  • MapRun is free to participants.
  • Clubs who are regular users of MapRun are asked to support the ongoing operation and development of MapRun by donating 50c (USD) per runner per event.

Getting Started
  • The MapRun App allows anyone to easily create a personal event (“QuickStart”) by dropping pins on a Google Satellite image background (without needing any map or course files)
  • Anyone can also upload a course file (KML) and/or map file (KMZ) to create a test event (“CheckSites”). A "CheckSites Code" (6-digit number) can be shared with other people for a simple shared event.
  • Some Clubs use CheckSites to confirm the accuracy of maps and to confirm the correct placement of control flags in a “traditional” Orienteering Event. Location pins can be dropped, labeled and exported (as well as tracks).
  • Clubs who wish to be regular users of MapRun should request an Administrator account to allow them to publish events (that is, to be shown in the list of Events in the App). An Administrator account gives access to the "MapRun Admin Console" that allows management of events and results.

Other capabilities
  • Runners can submit a revised result if they believe their visit to a control site was not correctly registered, using the “Hey I Think It Missed One” function. The Administrator can accept or reject or edit revisions and can edit or delete any results.
  • Administrators can create various MailMerge emails (eg using MailChimp) including to all past participants in a series or to all participants in an event with a “personalised” email with their results (typically after a scheduled event).
  • A “MapRunLink” web-link or QR-Code can to take a user directly to an event in MapRun (or prompt them to install MapRun if it is not installed)
  • Simple maps can be produced “automatically” based on Open StreetMap data from https://www.oomap.co.uk/. These maps are often sufficient for Street-O type events and some Park-O events.
  • MapRun produces a printable map based on the KMZ and KML files uploaded. This is in PurplePen format to allow the adding of extra labels etc before printing or producing a PDF file.
  • MapRun can create a KMZ map from an image of a map (eg a photograph of a map) through a simple process of positioning two pins in a Google Satellite map.
  • MapRun continues to be under further development.

Legal
  • MapRun® is a registered trademark of FNE Pty Ltd as trustee for FNE Enterprises and is only to be used in association of events and activities using the MapRun/MapRunF/MapRun6/MapRunG Apps.
  • The conditions under which MapRun is used are accepted by users within the App before its use. These conditions are provided here.