Good Run Guide Mobile Apps

Two Applications for your Mobile Phone

Good Run Guide provides two applications that you can run on your mobile phone to give you access to information and core features from the main Good Run Guide site when away from your computer.

Good Run Guide Mobile is a mobile web app that provides access to information and core features from Good Run Guide on your mobile phone, including your Training Log, races and our complete database of hundreds of quality selected running routes and parks around the UK, along with a GPS assisted Route Viewer.

GPS Stopwatch is a mobile web app by Good Run Guide that can be used with GPS enabled smartphones to time and measure you runs and cycle rides. Recordings can be uploaded directly to your Good Run Guide Training Log. We have a separate website that provides more information about this app at www.gpsstopwatch.com.

Installation Instructions

Both of these web apps are compatible with a wide range of phones and there is no need to download them from an App Store - just navigate to the following web pages using your phone's browser and add them to your phone's Home Screen. You can then run them in full screen mode as standalone applications.

How do I add the web apps to my phone's home screen?

iPhone

Launch Safari and navigate to web page for the app (shown above). Then bookmark the page onto your home screen by pressing the + symbol at the bottom of the page and selecting Add to Home Screen. The GPS Stopwatch icon should be added to your Home Screen.

Android

Launch your Internet browser and navigate to the web page for the app (shown above). Then bookmark the page. Once added to your bookmarks, press an hold on the bookmark and select Add to Home Screen. The GPS Stopwatch icon should be added to your Home Screen.

I am not a Good Run Guide Member, can I try it out?

You can have a basic look around Good Run Guide Mobile using a special Guest Login but some features such as the Log Book need a Membership account. You can register for free as a Trial Member to try out all the Membership features.

Can I have a look at Good Run Guide Mobile without a phone?

If you don't have a phone to hand, you can explore Good Run Guide Mobile now in the simulator below (best viewed in Firefox, Safari or Chrome).

Which mobile phones are compatible with Good Run Guide Mobile?

Good Run Guide Mobile is designed to be accessible from a wide range of phones. If your phone has a web browser, you should be able to access most features.

To use the location-enabled features you will need a phone browser that supports Web Location Services. All browsers are expected to support this in due course and it is already supported by Safari (iPhone 3.0+), Android Browser (Android 1.5+), BlackBerry Browser (BlackBerry Device Software 4.1+) and Firefox for Mobile (Nokia Maemo 5). To use the GPS Stopwatch your phone will also need to have a GPS capability. If the location features are not working, check that you have Location Services turned on in your phone's Settings.

How do I get a good GPS signal on my phone?

The accuracy of the location signal will depend on the quality of the GPS hardware in your phone and also on GPS signal reception quality where you are. If you can't get an accurate signal, try moving around slightly.

If you are still having problems picking up a GPS signal, have a look at the following tips.

• Check that Location Services is turned on:
  • iPhone - Settings, General, turn Location Services on
  • Blackberry - Browser, Options, Privacy and Security (more info)
  • Android :
    • Main Device Menu - Location & Security, tick Use GPS Satellites.
    • Main Device Menu - Privacy, tick Use My Location.
    • Browser Menu - More, Settings, tick Enable Location. 
      
      
• You need to be outdoors with a clear view of the sky (GPS needs visual contact with at least 3 satellites) and preferably well away from buildings as these can cause signal reflections leading to reduced accuracy.
  
  
• Try turning off 3G and WiFi in your phone's Settings as it has been reported that this can sometimes improve GPS reception.
  
  
• If running, use a sports armband holder that goes on your arm rather than put the phone in your pocket as your body can also obscure the GPS signal.
  
  
• Ensure your battery is charged up – less accurate locations may be sought to conserve battery power if the battery level is low.
  
  
• Try powering your phone off and on before using it if you still get problems.
  
  
• Check that you have the latest Firmware update for your phone. iOS version 3.0 or later is required for the iPhone.

How Do I Follow a New Route using GRG Mobile?

1. Login to Good Run Guide Mobile.
   
   
2. Go to the Routes and Races menu and select the Route you wish to follow. Click Route Map to view the route in the GPS Route Viewer.
   
   
3. An overview map of the route will initially be shown.
   
   
4. The map includes milemarkers (in black) and markers showing the locations of additional directions (in blue) . These can be hidden (and redisplayed) by clicking on the relevant symbol in the action bar at the top of the map.
   
   
5. Click on the current position icon to begin tracking your current position. Once your position has been determined (this may take a few moments depending on signal reception), the map will zoom in to show where you are. Clicking this again will turn off the tracking and redisplay the route overview map.
   
   
6. Once you get to the start of the route, click on the direction icon at the start for details of where the route starts. Click the directions text to hide it. You can look at any of the directions around the route in this way.
   
   
7. As you run around the route, if you are not sure where to go, stop and check your position on the map again. It may take a few moments to obtain your latest position if your phone has locked while you were running. Switching to satellite map view may help identify local landmarks in some cases.

NOTE: It is dangerous to look at your mobile phone while running so please stop if you need to check that you are on the correct route.