What is a Virtual Orienteering Course?
A Virtual (GPS) Orienteering Course (VOC) is a set of checkpoints spread around an area created for you to complete and capture with your smartphone or GPS watch. Together with a map showing where they all are, and using a free app such as Maprun, your device will instantly become a map and a timer all in one.
Rather than running the same route every day, challenge yourself to complete a virtual course. Virtual courses have no infrastructure on the ground – your device's GPS will recognise that you are at the correct location, and it will register on the app, turning your checkpoint from purple to green! The app will show the full map, surrounding Google Map, which checkpoints you have visited or yet to visit and how long you either have left (Score course) or how long you have taken (Linear course).
There are 2 main types of courses;
- Score course – Visit as many checkpoints as you can in the time limit. Each checkpoint is worth a number of points; they may all have the same value or they may vary. The highest number of points wins. You will lose points if you are late back!
- Linear course – Visit the checkpoints in numerical order as quickly as possible.
Why not have an adventure and find new places to explore with an accessible, flexible and fun Virtual Orienteering Course.
Please note participants use virtual courses at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety, and we recommend under 16s should not go out unaccompanied when in an urban setting. Commercial reproduction and use of the map is not permitted without prior permission.
Note: If you are looking for Virtual Orienteering Courses in Scotland, a complete list, including links to downloadable maps, is available from the Scottish Orienteering website here
Downloading the App
There are a few apps used to host virtual courses for example MapRun, iOrienteering and UsynligO. The most extensively used so recommended here is MapRun – a free easy to use app for Android, Apple and Garmin. Please note: The MapRun app is an independent app and is not part of British Orienteering
Download the App to your GPS enabled smartphone or smartwatch
Getting Started
"How to Use MapRun" is a handy guide with the top instructions below;
- Download the App and enter your personal details.
- Check that your phones GPS is turned on. Click here for guidance on phone settings for the MapRun App.
- Select the "event" you want to try. You can search by postcode or navigate to the UK folder and different areas of the country, or use our handy Virtual course finder. We recommend you download the course map while you have access to Wi-Fi or a good mobile signal.
- Once you're ready to run, click on "Go To Start"
- When you are at the course location, head towards the start. Your phone should beep or vibrate and the clock start timing once you come within range of the start location - this is shown by a triangle symbol.
- Once you have found all the checkpoints (or your time is up for a score course) head for the finish for the final beep. The finish is shown by a double circle symbol.
- The app may automatically attempt to save your results but if you don’t have access to mobile data this can be done later. If you have a Strava account you can also synchronise your session directly.
- To view the results table for the event, select “Show Results” and select the event that you have just completed. You will also be able to view the “track” of your route and upload to Strava.
For more information about getting started with alternative app UsynligO see here – any additional information required for a particular course if applicable will be provided in individual course information.
MapRun Tips
- Speed is an advantage, but the fastest runner won't necessarily come out on top. It'll take smart planning to find the shortest route between the checkpoints, short-cuts and cut throughs are welcome in orienteering!
- There will be a variety of courses on offer, meaning you can try out new and usual locations to you in different ways each time.
- In a Score course, take a few seconds at the start to plan out a rough pattern of which checkpoints you will visit, reducing the need to travel over areas you already have, covering the least distance but getting the most checkpoints will lead to success in a Score event!
If you enjoy Virtual Orienteering Courses, you may want to try a local club event, where electronic checkpoints are placed in individual, unique courses (from easy to hard), beginners are always welcome and you do not need to be a member of British Orienteering to attend– find out more about your local club and Orienteering events here.