How to create your own

To create a word run, you will need a path to run and something that can record your position on the Earth over time.

There are a number of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that can record your position over time including sports watches and smart phones that have integrated GPS.

On smart phones, there are a number of apps that can be installed to track your position and provide you with your average pace over periods of time. Examples of smart phone apps that do this include Strava, Map my run and Runkeeper.  These are available on both iOS and Android.

Garmin, TomTom, Soleus and Polar all create GPS watches that you can use to record your runs.

A couple of optional extras that are useful in creating word runs, and help you avoid memorising a path, are a computer and the Google Earth application. Google Earth can be used to plan paths for word-runs, which can then be sent to a smart device for ease of navigation.

Below is one way to create a word-run using;

• Google Earth on your computer
• Google Earth on your Smart Phone
• Strava on your smart phone

If you have other methods to create a word run, post your suggestions in the comments section below.

To create a word run with Google Earth and Strava:

1. Download and install Google Earth to your computer (it's free).

2. Plan your run on your computer using the ruler tool.
    - Open Google Earth
    - Go to 'Tools' -> Ruler

    - Make sure you select 'path', then draw your path using the cross-hairs:

    - When you've finished your path, click save in the path dialogue box, and give your path a name.

    - Then you need to export your path to kmz. Select your path in the 'Places' menu to the left, then go to File -> Save -> Save Place As.

    - Give your path a name, and save it as a kmz, in a location you remember.

3. Install Google Earth to your smart phone (it's free!)

For iPhone, click here to download Google Earth or scan the QR code below.

4. Install Strava to your smart phone (it's free!)

For iPhone, click here to download Strava or scan the QR code below.

5. Using your computer, email the kmz you created of your path to your smart phone and then open it using Google Earth on your smart phone.

6. Open Strava on your phone and start recording an activity.

7. Open Google Earth on your phone.

8. Follow the path using Google Earth

9. When you've finished, close Google Earth, and reopen Strava. Then finish your activity using the Strava app. It will automatically upload if you have an internet connection. 

10. Done!! You've created a word-run!