Cwmdu MapRuns
These MapRuns are available at all times in the year.
Entry Fee: Free
Please park at Cwmdu Village Hall (or if staying at campsite start there).
Organiser: Paul Dodd. pfsdodd@gmail.com
07977 912558
Results:
Downlaod the map here:
Walking / Running routes in Cwmdu using a smart phone.
(Treasure-less Treasure Hunt )
Want a walking or running objective in the hills around Cwmdu? Worried about your ability to navigate around? The Cwmdu Mapruns may be the answer.
Maprun is a mobile phone app that automatically detects and records your progress around a set of nearby 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.
You can visit each checkpoint in any order and try to find as many as you like.
Walk it, or run it.
Go solo or with a partner or small group.
Most of the checkpoints are at easy to find places - path junctions, cairns, trig points etc. and most routes between are on paths, roads and tracks.
Choose from an easier route on the west and a harder one on the east. Just visit as many checkpoints as you can (if treating it as a competition), or just find a few in as long as you want to be out.
On your phone you get a map showing the checkpoints and a red dot shows your current location so you can use it a bit like a ‘satnav’
You can choose from two:
1/ Cwmdu West - This is the easier of the two mapruns. All the checkpoints are located in easy to find places and the routes between are on paths, roads and bridleways. You can take as long as you like to get as may or as few checkpoints as you want.... but if doing it as a competitive run the time limit is 90mins.
2/ Cwmdu East - This is slightly harder than Cwmdu West but still suitable for all. Nearly all checkpoints are at easy to find locations but one or two are a little trickier to find and requite you to walk off-piste in the open fell. You can visit as many checkpoints as you want and you take as long as you like but if running it as a competition you have 3 hours.
(There is also a third MapRun which follows the route of a well known fell race from the Dragons Back Pub in Pengenfford. This is a linear route so you need to do the checkpoints in order).
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.
Download the map here:
Mountain Skills for Cwmdu East
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 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.
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 Maprun, 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 whether you want Cwmdu East, Cwmdu West or Wain Fach]
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:
Garmin watch running 'maprun'
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).