MapRun is a form of orienteering that uses smartphones for punching and timing, avoiding the need to put flags and SI units out on the course. You can run the course whenever you like (and as many times as you like) while it is available on the app. Your phone (or watch) knows your location using GPS and when you arrive at the control location it registers your visit. MapRun was developed and is managed in Australia by Peter Effeney.
SMOC has a number of MapRun courses with more being added soon.
You will need a smartphone with the MapRun app installed.
If you have a Garmin watch that can take apps then you can use this to run a course instead of your phone (MapRunG). You will still need a smartphone to set things up. See here for full instructions and a video.
More information
- The MapRun website has a great Quick Start guide which gives you all the information you need to get started.
- SMOC's guide to MapRun.
The map and course will be displayed on your phone but if you prefer to have a paper copy then you can download a PDF from the links below. There is also some information about where to park and the type of each course. Some courses will use traditional orienteering base maps while others use OpenOrienteeringMaps (Street-O) maps which show just paths, roads and open areas. These are great for urban and park areas
Results for each course are available to view on your phone or on the MapRun website where you can filter for the course you've run.
There are three types of course we offer:
- Linear: this is like a normal orienteering event. Go to the Start and take the controls in order, taking care not to miss any out, until you get to the Finish.
- Score: You must visit as many controls as you can in the specified time limit and then tag the Finish. There is a penalty for each minute of lateness. There may be a specific control scoring system where controls are worth different numbers of points but this will be explained on the website.
- Scatter: You must visit all the controls but can do so in any order. The clock stops once you have visited all the controls and returned to the finish.
Important information
- You take part in any MapRun events as an individual activity and not a club activity, and therefore will not be covered by British Orienteering's public liability insurance.
- Under 16s should not run unaccompanied. Many of our courses involve road crossings, sometimes of busy routes.
Our courses
| Area | Description | Car park nearest post code | Map type | Map download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | 2 linear courses - short (optimum route ~3.8km) and long (optimum route ~6.75km). | MK6 4AJ - Ashland lakes car park | Street-O map | Download PDFs: short long |
| Aspley Heath | Linear course - straight line route 4.3km. Note: there has been a lot of felling in this area which has not been mapped. | MK17 8TR - Sandy Lane car park | Orienteering map | Download PDF |
| Broughton | Linear course - optimum route ~5.3km | MK10 9RB - school car park | Street-O map | Download PDF |
| Buckingham | 45 minute score. All controls worth 10 points – penalty 10 points for every minute (or part-minute) late | MK18 1RP - Cornwalls Meadow car park | Street-O map | Download PDF |
| Great Linford | There are two linear courses, Shortish and Longish, the map is part of the Great Linford urban O map. The Shortish course is about 3k long, the Longish about 6k, both assuming you don't get too lost. On the Longish course there are sensible routes that means you might 'punch' a control out of sequence - to successfully complete the course you will need to 'punch' it in the correct sequence too. |
MK14 5HA - Great Linford local centre car park off St. Leger Drive. | Orienteering map | |
| Howe Park Wood | 45 minute score event. All controls worth 10 points – penalty 10 points for every minute (or part-minute) late | MK4 3GG - Parks Trust car park | Orienteering map | Download PDF |
| Leighton Buzzard | 45 minute score event. Scores between 10 to 40 points - see PDF. Penalty 10 points for every minute (or part-minute) late | LU7 2XE - Tiddenfoot Waterside car park | Street-O map | Download PDF |
| Newport Pagnell | Bury Field – linear course which stays inside Bury Field - does not cross any roads. Approximately 2.5km. Newport Pagnell – linear course around the town - optimum route ~4.5km |
MK16 8QT - Queens Avenue car park (free for 2 hours Mon-Sat, free on Sundays) | Street-O map | Download PDFs: Bury Field Newport Pagnell |
| Stony Stratford | Linear course - optimum route 5.75km | MK11 1LT - Hawkins Close car park | Street-O map | Download PDF |
| Waterhall Park | 3 courses - short, medium (optimum route ~5.1km) and long | MK2 2LE - Parks Trust car park | Street-O map | Download PDFs: short medium long |
| Winslow | Linear course - 3.3km (about 4.5 to 5km actual distance). | MK18 3EB - Greyhound Lane car park | Street-O map | Download PDF |
| Wolverton | 45 minute score Controls 1-10 = 10 points, 11-20 = 20 points, 21-30 = 30 points, penalty 10 points for every minute (or part-minute) late | MK12 5JN - Agora car park | Orienteering map | Download PDF |
| Woolstone | 2 linear courses - short (optimum route ~3.8km) and long (optimum route ~5.05km). | MK15 0AE - public car park near The Barge | Street-O map | Download PDFs: short long |