The MapRunF App

Installing and using the MaprunF app

The MapRunF app allows you follow a pre-planned route using a map displayed on your smartphone.  The app uses your phone's GPS to track your location and notify you when you reach a checkpoint

You need to download the MapRunF app from the MapRunners web site.  Make sure you get the newer MapRunF app, not the older MapRun app.

The MapRunner web site includes a step by step guide on using the MapRunF app.

Hints and tips:

• Once you have selected the route in MapRunF, switch off both wifi and data connections; e.g. by turning on airplane mode.  If you don't do this, if your phone is struggling to get a good GPS fix it may revert to trying to determine its location by reference to mobile phone masts or approximate wifi router locations .... neither of which will give you anything like the accuracy you need.  Remember to turn data back on once you finish so that your phone can upload your results to the MapRunner web site.

  Note: If you've got an Apple watch with its own SIM card then you definitely need to turn on airplane mode.  If you just switch off your iPhone's wifi and data connections it can still try to use the iWatch's data connection to estimate your location.

• Set your phone so that it doesn't go into standby mode while you're doing the route, because if your phone is in standby mode it won't give you the 'ping' that tells you you're at a checkpoint.  On Apple devicies, go to Settings --> Display and brightness and turn Auto-lock to Never.  After your run, remember to return your phone to its normal settings to preserve battery life and re-inistate security features.
• Before starting, check the accuracy of your phone's GPS fix.  You need the banner at the bottom of the MapRunF display to be green rather than orange or red.  There are various apps that will show you how many satellites your phone has been able to pick up and, in some cases, let you 'tune up' your GPS settings.  A couple of examples for Android devices are GPS Test and GPS Status & Toolbox.

If you'd like any help or advice, please contact Caroline Mackenzie via 07973-870529.

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