Cwmdu East - Mini-mountain marathon / Mountain Trial
M. Score event. 3 hour time limit.
No 'event' planned this year but the MapRun is currently live and is available at all times in the year,
Entry Fee: Free
Please park at Cwmdu Village Hall and walk to start near the campsite
Records: Marcus Pinker 860 pts. Karen Elvers 460 pts.
Organiser: Paul Dodd. pfsdodd@gmail.com
07977 912558
Get the map here:
Cwmdu East is the region towards Pen Cerrig Calch from Cwmdu - and includes Pen Allt Mawr, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Gloch Y Pibwr and Mynydd Llysiau.
This 3 hour challenge is a step up from Cwmdu West. Although the majority of checkpoints are on easily identified features, a few will require you to navigate off-piste on smaller 'sheep trods' and the like (if you choose to go to them).There are 41 checkpoints to choose from and their points value range from 10 to 50, so planning your route beforehand is important.
The challenge will use the MapRun app for mobile phone/garmin watch. What is it?
MapRun is a free 'app' you download to your phone (and/or Garmin watch). It automatically records which checkpoints you visit, when you start and when you finish. After, your score and route is uploaded automatically to the overall results table.
When you find a checkpoint, your phone (or watch) emits a loud bleep, the point on the map changes from pink to green and your time to get there is recorded automatically.
Don't panic all you technophobes! It's very intuitive to use and once started you can if you like just stow your phone in a pocket or bumbag.
MapRun is explained further below - and there are some intro video that you may find useful.
Score event. What does this mean?
There is no prescribed route. You visit any of the checkpoints in any order.
Each checkpoint has a points value. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to get as many points as you can in the 3 hours. The advantages of score events are:
Each participant can choose where they go and how far they want to go
The format is ideal for learning and practicing navigation in a safe setting where if you get lost, relocating yourself on the map is easy
If you can't find or get to a checkpoint for some reason - no worries - just move onto finding another
Navigation.
This event will suit all. Those with little navigational experience can use the event to learn the basics. Most of the checkpoints are at easy to find locations - corner of field, where paths meet, stream junction, road t-junction etc. On the whole, you will be able to stick to paths, roads and tracks.
Likewise expert navigators can use their skills to plan the optimum route and move from one to the other on the best line.
Solo/Pairs/Group
You can do this event on your own, with a partner or in a small group.
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 but Cwmdu campsite has free WIFI and so does the Farmers Arms in Cwmdu.
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.
This MapRun has 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.
You now have 180 mins to visit as many other checkpoints as you can .... and then return to the finish (same place as start).
The MapRun app is particularly appropriate under the current Covid situation. It means walkers/runners can test themselves in a competition/challenge format without the need to gather in numbers.
Scoring:
For this event, each checkpoint has a different value. Numbers 1-10 have a value of 10, 11-20 have a value of 20, 21-30 have a value of 30 and so on. Just one checkpoint, number 41, has a value of 50. For every minute (or part of) you are late back over the 180 mins, you will lose 10 points.
Mountain Skills
The region has very little 'technical' terrain and for the most part you will be on paths, roads and tracks. There are 41 checkpoints. They are all easy to locate, being moistly on easily identified features - corner of field, path junction, building etc. If the visibility is poor on the tops, finding your way to the open fell checkpoints may require you to use a compass (you can of course choose not to visit these checkpoints).
Many of the higher checkpoints 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 (appropriately distanced of course) 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.
Find a downloadable map of the route here: Cwmdu East (.pdf)
Printed maps will be available at Cwmdu campsite or you can use the map downloaded to your phone (or you can use both).
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:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.fne.maprun6&gl=GB
iphone:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/maprun6/id1550049241
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 - Cwmdu East PXAS ScoreN180. You'll see that are are literally thousands of routes to try in other regions/countries.
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 racing. 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:
For a full explanation of the the Maprun app and what the Maptrail is all about visit the NGOC site here:
http://www.ngocweb.com/maprun/maptrail/
Many thanks to Pat Macleod (NGOC) for setting this route up for me.
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).