MapRuns
These MapRuns are available at all times in the year. They are free to use
What is a MapRun?
Maprun is a mobile phone app that automatically detects and records your progress around a set of locations
It’s a bit like a treasure hunt … with no treasure.
Your phone beeps when you find a location point (checkpoint) and records how long it took to get there.
Walk it, or run it.
Go solo or with a partner or small group.
Many checkpoints are at easy to find places - path junctions, cairns, trig points etc. and most routes between are on paths, roads and tracks.
There are easier routes and harder routes. Some routes are actual fell races that you can run or walk.
Some mapruns follow a prescribed course from start to finish (they are called linear routes) and others allow you to choose what checkpoints and how many you go to (these are called score routes).
On some mapruns, the map on your phone shows your current location with a red/blue dot so you can use it a bit like a ‘satnav’.
You can now run the app on your gps watch too, so you now no longer need to carry your phone.
How do I get the 'app' and how do I learn how to use it?
You'll be able to download the app and the map you need anywhere that has WIFI or a good mobile signal (3g/4g). It's best to do this before leaving home. It's FREE.
Below is a link to full instructions, however.... the app is very easy to use. Just press 'start' and it does it all for you. It starts automatically as you cross the start line, it recognises when you get to each checkpoint, records that you've been there and at the finish stops and uploads your time and score automatically to the overall results table.
Starting and Finishing.
Nearly all MapRuns have a prescribed start/finish. Once you have pressed 'go to start' on your phone, simply walk towards the start. When you arrive, the phone beeps/vibrates and the clock starts ticking.
Mountain Skills
Many of the higher checkpoints in this region are in a mountain environment. These and the routes between are not suitable for those without the necessary mountain walking/running skills. You need to take with you appropriate equipment (clothing, footwear, navigational tools etc) and you need to have the right skills to cope with what could be very difficult conditions. Don't make the silly mistake of assuming that as it's hot and sunny in the car park that it will be equally pleasant on the top of the mountains.
If you are in any doubt about the above then make sure you go with someone who does have the right skills.
Solo runners/walkers should (as always) let someone know where they are going and at what time they should arrive back. They could additionally leave a note in the windscreen of their car as to their intentions.
As well as using your phone to navigate by and to record your outing it is essential that you also have adequate backup plans for navigation and route finding - printed maps and a map and compass.
You must keep to public rights of way. None of the published MapRuns give you permission to access private land.
Here is a list of MapRuns in the Breecon Beacons:
For each of these, within the app, just press select event then go to: UK/Wales/South Wales Trails.
Downloadable (and printable) maps for many of these can be found under the event on this website.
Blorenge Night Roundabout - the fell race route
Cwmdu East - a 3 hour score event - Towards Pen Cerrig Calch and Pentwyn Glas
Cwmdu West (Start anywhere) - a 90 min score event suitable for beginners - towards Mynydd Llangors - you must finish where you start
Four Fans - follows the route of the fell race - tough - Fan Nedd, Fan Fawr, Fan Llia and Fan from Storey Arms
Keepers Pond 6 - an easy outing from the top of the Blorenge
Mynydd Troed V2- a short route with just 3 checkpoints - do in any order.
Pen Tir - an event created in the 2020 'lockdown' - Pen Tir and Mynydd Llangors
Preseli DibDab Long
Preseli DibDab Medium
Preseli DibDab Short
Preseli Teaser
Vale of Ewyas - follows the route of the fell race - tough 37km, 1900m. See the Mynydd Du website. 1:50k map here 1;25k map here
Waun Fach West - follows the route of the fell race - see the page on this website: Waun FachV2
Sugar Loaf Winter - find this in UK/Wales/South Wales/Inactive events
Craig Yr Allt (winter) - find this in UK/Wales/South Wales Trails and Fells
Cwmdu Local – walking beginners 90 mins score/scatter
Fan Brycheiniog – linear – fell race route
Four Fans – linear – fell race route
Night Blorenge – linear fell race route
Mynydd Llangorse – linear – Andy Cummings
Llanbedr - score
How do I get the 'app' and how do I learn how to use it?
You'll need two things on your phone:
1/ The app
2/ The route/map
You'll be able to download the app and the map you need anywhere that has WIFI or a good mobile signal (3g/4g). It's best to do this before leaving home. You do not need a mobile signal on the route if you have downloaded the map already at home. Getting your phone to acquire satellites on the route will be fine as there are few trees/buildings to block the signal.
1/ Download the app from your fav place:
Android (google play) - the new maprun7 is now just called 'maprun'
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.fne.maprun7&hl=en_GB&gl=US&pli=1
iphone:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/maprun/id1634949963
or search for Maprun6, by FNE Enterprises
Please make sure you have the most up to date version of the MapRun app installed on your phone.
You’ll need to set up the app with your personal details then download the map at home (don’t try at the venue as there is no mobile signal).
2/ Now download the race route/map onto your phone, first start up the app then click:
Select Event - UK - Wales - South Wales Trails - [Now just select what route you wish to do]
The route/map will take a few moments to download. You can view the map by clicking 'go to start'.
At the venue just go the app on your phone. When ready for the off in the car park press 'go to start'. Keep away from the start line until you are ready to start. Walk/run towards the start line when you're ready for the off. As you cross the start point your phone will bleep and you're on your way. All timing starts from the first beep.
If you accidentally cross the start line too early just exit the app and start again ... keep away from the start until you're ready to go.
At each checkpoint you visit your phone emits a beep and records the time it takes to get there.
The timing stops on the beep as you cross the finish line.
If you have a good 3g/4g signal your result will update automatically. If not then you will have to do a manual upload later - go to the menu top right on the screen.
You can then view your result (and the overall set of results).
If you wish, you can get the app to show your position on the map on the screen and leave a 'breadcrumb' trail of where you have been. Just go to 'options and settings' before you start and click 'display location' and 'display track'.
Here are some DIY (and quickly cobbled together) videos that explain a bit more about the app to beginners. There are 3:
Using MapRun without having to take your phone - using garmin watch
Personally I'd recommend wherever possible to use your garmin watch for maprun (FR245 and above). It's much better and there will be no or few phone issues as you only download the route when you get back. You use MaprunG app on your watch which you can download from Connect IQ. Watches are designed to track so much more reliable at tagging a check. You get a buzz/beep on your watch and info is displayed as to how long you have and how many checks you've got. No need to carry phone.
Also, witht he new maprun app you can produce a maprun results using a strava file. Just do the route as usual with your garmin running (run or hike) - let it upload to strava as usual. Then using the maprun app on your phone link it to the strava session/event and it'll read the file and produce a result for you. The only drawback is you don't get beeps/buzzing on watch/phone when you get to the checkpoint
Phone issues:
There are many different makes and models of phone. It's not possible go through all of the issues you might encounter with your particular one. However, here are a few general pointers:
Make sure your phone is fully charged before you set off. 3 hours is a long time for older phones.
Make sure your phone will allow this app to 'run in the background'. This means that when your screen goes off (because you've turned it off or it goes to sleep) the app is still tracking your progress. In settings, go to apps and choose MapRun to see the settings
Make sure you have the 'media' volume turned up to max so you can hear the beep.
If when you get to a checkpoint your phone does not beep, it may be that your phone has gone to sleep. Just turn the screen on and wait a few seconds and your phone may then register the checkpoint.
If your phone does not beep when you get to a checkpoint it might be that your phone's gps is not accurate enough for some reason. If you walk around a bit and back and forth it may then register the checkpoint. Older phones can have this problem sometimes. You can go into settings to check that you have the highest possible gps accuracy - this is often under battery settings as a higher gps accuracy is more demanding of battery power.
If your run does not upload to the overall set of results after, it may be because there is no phone signal. Don't worry it should automatically upload when you are in a WIFI zone or a place with a good 3g/4g signal later. If it doesn't then you can try a manual upload - just go to the menu button top right of screen and choose manual upload. If you still have problems the organiser can add you to the results if you send him a .gpx file of your route (this can be done from Strava or other watch apps).