Info runners

In this overview those who will use this application/program are for simplicity's sake called runners. They could just as easily be called skiers, cyclists, power walkers, Nordic walkers etc.

The point of this application is that runners should be able to run a course at any time and confirm that the right controls have been visited without any marking (such as a control flag) at the control points. The runner should also be able to compare route choice, result and split times with others when a result list for the course has been drawn up. The equipment the runner needs is a GPS watch which can record waypoints.

Choose course

There are two types of courses: ordinary courses and line orienteering courses. The runner can list which courses that can be found on the current map area by pressing "Show line courses" or "Show ordinary courses".

The runner choose a course from the list of links to the right of the Google Map area or clicks on an orienteering flag in the corresponding Google Map area. Those courses that are visible in the list are only those courses shown on the Google Map area. When the runner has chosen a course the course is zoomed in and a course menu (and result list) will appear to the right of the Google Map area. The course with controls (or line if the type is line orienteering) will also be drawn on the Google Map. If the course setter has uploaded a detailed orienteering map with the course the runner will be able to see it when pressing the link "Map with course (new window)". If the shown map is of good quality the runner can print it out. Otherwise the runner can get a paper map and draw the course on it. To view the orienteering map on Google Map there are map types as "O Maps over normal map" or "O Maps over satellite map". The preferences to see those maps are that the orienteering map has been added to omgm: http://ifk.kiruna.se/omgm.

Run the course

When the runner has the map with the course on it he or she can travel to the starting point of the course. The runner starts the GPS watch at the starting point and every time the runner passes a control along the course the runner makes a waypoint (the runner can also skip the waypoints if the runner chooses to run the course without waypoints being done: more on that later). When the runner reaches the finish she or he stops the watch. Now there is a track in the GPS watch. The runner transfer that track to a computer with his or her GPS software.

Upload the trackfile

Ordinary course

To upload the result of the run the runner chooses the menu choice "Upload result" from the course menu. The runner can choose between two possible options to upload result. One with waypoints called "With waypoints" where the runner makes waypoints when passing the control points and the other option called "Without waypoints" where the runner must pass the control points but doesn't have to do any waypoints. Further in the form the runner gives her/his name and password (that can be used if the runner later wishes to remove or edit the result). In the form the user chooses the trackfile that is going to be uploaded and what format it is (for now the following formats are supported: tcx (Garmin), frwd text and gpx). When the runner clicks on "Save result" the application will test if the recorded waypoints are within 100 m of the controls (including start and finish). If waypoints have been made several times within the permitted area of the controls (including the start and finish) only the nearest waypoint is counted. If you register a waypoint inside the permitted area and thereafter register another waypoint outside it and later register a new waypoint inside the permitted area again only the first registration is counted. If the test passes, the result will now be inserted in the result database. To test the run further the runner chooses "Show result". Now a result list will be shown beginning with the class 50 m, which means that runners' waypoints must be within 50 meters of the controls (including start and finish and of course in the correct order). You can choose result lists for classes between 5 m and 100 m with an interval of 5 m. In the result lists there are also possibilities to study other runners' route choices and so on.

Line orienteering course

The form for line orienteering is the same as for ordinary course. When the runner clicks on "Save result" the application will test if the recorded track is within 100 m of the course line every 25th or 50th meter (including start and finish). The interval depends on what the course setter has chosen for the course.

Summary

Choose a course --> Map with course (new window) --> Print out course or draw course on paper map --> Go out and run (don't forget the GPS-watch!) --> Make waypoints at the controls (if ordinary course is chosen) --> Upload result --> Save result --> Show result.

Hope everything goes well. Good luck!