Learn how to use MapRun – further workshops

Published: March 16, 2020

Edinburgh MapRun Workshop Postponed

Due to the raised level of concern about the spread of coronavirus we have taken the decision to postpone the MapRun workshop planned for this Wed (18th Mar) in Edinburgh.

In the meantime, the MapRun app offers an excellent way of getting out to take part in orienteering on your own. There are already a good number of courses set up around the country with maps available for download here. Anyone that would like to see some more courses in their local area should contact Sarah Dunn who would be delighted to help individuals get started with setting up courses. Please get in touch by emailing sarah@scottish-orienteering.org if you would like some support with this.

Following the success of the workshops in September and February, Scottish Orienteering is planning to run a further two workshops on MapRun – the smartphone app which allows you to create and take part in orienteering “events” using GPS signals to identify control sites.

Next up will be a session in Edinburgh on Wed Mar 18th from 6:30-8:30pm in the Appleton Tower, room 2.11. Then on Wed 25th Mar there will be a session in Banchory from 6:00-8:30 in the old sports centre, adjacent to the Academy.

If you plan to attend the Edinburgh workshop please sign up using the Google Form here, or if you plan to attend the Banchory workshop please sign up here.

The app has many attractive features for offering simple opportunities to participate in orienteering, including:

  • There’s no effort in putting out / collecting controls
  • Courses can be used at any time and are there “forever”
  • No vulnerability to vandalism or upkeep required
  • An ongoing results table to motivate participation

As such it has great potential for introducing new people to the sport, running orienteering sessions in schools, and setting up simple club training opportunities.

If you are interested in finding out how it works and how to create your own courses then please come along to this informal practical workshop which will be led by Sarah Dunn. All are welcome and there’s no fee to attend.

Juniors under 15 should be accompanied by a parent. Please bring a smartphone with the MapRun app pre-loaded – you can download it for free from your App Store – as we plan to offer an opportunity to test it out on a simple course.

Please sign up for the Edinburgh workshop via the Google Form here and for the Banchory workshop here.

There is further info about the app and current courses on the SOA website here

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Dunn – sarah@scottish-orienteering.org.