Shadowtrack and mapping

The mapping feature calculates the relation of the device's coordinates to the shadowtrack.

Shadowtrack

The shadowtrack enables calculations for the visualization of the race (elevation chart, statistics), predictive tracking, and for add-ons such as leaderboard and monitor.

One track only can be set as the shadowtrack of an event. This track represents the route on which participants move from the start to the finish. The length of this track has to be the same length as the contest.

• The length of the shadowtrack for a marathon is 42.195 km.

• If participants have to run three laps, then the shadowtrack must consider three laps, too.

• The shadowtrack for a triathlon includes swimming, cycling, and running in one continuous line.

What is mapping?

Mapping processes the relation of the device's coordinates to the shadowtrack by calculating metrics like distance from start, distance to go, gaps between participants etc. impacting features like:

• Visualization and elevation chart,

• Leaderboard,

• Monitor,

• Ranks API and

• Current API.

Note that mapping does not affect predictive tracking.

How does mapping work?

GPS devices send their coordinates to the tracking map. Mapping automatically calculates their most likely position on the shadowtrack.

Mapping can begin at any point on the shadowtrack. The device's first coordinate during the event must not necessarily be mapped to the start point of the track, as it is mapped to its closest position on the track.

Mapping takes into account the device's latest coordinate and its previous position on the track.

Mapping considers laps and assumes that a device moves onward (and never backward) on the track.

In the "advanced" settings, you can set the parameters to filter the device's coordinates for the mapping.

• Max mapping distance (in meters): Maximum distance of devices coordinates from the shadowtrack. Coordinates with a greater distance from the shadowtrack are not considered for the mapping.

• Max speed for speedfilter: Maximum speed to consider the devices coordinates for the mapping on the shadowtrack. Coordinates that would need a greater speed are not considered for the mapping.

• Min speed for speedfilter: Minimum speed to consider the devices coordinates for the mapping on the shadowtrack. Coordinates that would need a lower speed are not considered for the mapping.

Best practise

If the shadowtrack's start and finish points are very close, the device's first coordinates during the event can be mapped to the finish instead of the start. This misassignment distorts the elevation chart, leaderboard, and other derived data. To avoid this wrong start mapping, keep the shadowtrack's start and finish points at least 200 m apart and ensure the device's first coordinates are located close to the start.