TRAILME Newsletter Issue 1 - April 2021

First TRAILME Newsletter is out. Enjoy reading!

 
 
BACKGROUND
 



The BIG Idea
TRAILME was founded in 2019 by Rainer Duespohl; a passionate trail runner who imagined and believed that digitalizing trails was the way forward to create better  experiences whilst supporting and enhancing individuals safety, performance, navigation and engagement. After 12 months of hard work the TRAILME App was launched in 2020 and made it available to serve the community. TRAILME quickly became one of the best platforms to serve different runners and organisations especially in the face of an unprecedented global health challenge. 
TRAILME is the first platform designed specifically for the trail running community that delivers unique experiences to trail runners, their supporters, fans, friends and family. It is built on proprietary IoT technology. TRAILME allows runners to access real-time and live tracking data regarding their race that ultimately helps them to  improve their performance. TRAILME also simplifies the tracking and monitoring of race participants at trail running events and significantly helps race organisers to deliver enhanced experiences and safety to all users. TRAILME brings the trail running community together on and off the trail; allowing trail runners to focus on completing their personal goals, whilst supporters, fans, friends and family are able to be more dynamically engaged with the event ,watching, supporting and monitoring performances and being part of the journey, in real time. 
 
 

TRAILME PLATFORM
 



Real Time
TRAILME has comprehensive components consisting of the website, the mobile app, and the race organiser's dashboard. The TRAILME website acts as a one-stop-shop for all events; it has a well-designed calendar providing a detailed list of upcoming races and a Blog where racers can share their stories and experiences. The mobile app is an essential component of the TRAILME platform; it synchronises with the events and provides numerous functions, including registration for the TRAILME event, automatic generation of BIB numbers for participants and live tracking to determine the participant's position and location, giving fans greater engagement when following the race. When following a runner, you have visibility on runner’s performance data such as  cut off time, estimated time of arrival and ranking. Furthermore, the mobile app includes a real-time leader board that captures various race ranking status of actual runners and finishers. The latest function of the mobile app is the finisher certificate which can be download and shared. The TRAILME dashboard provides total visibility of all participants as well individual data which includes intermediate ranking, distance, predictive finish time and overall race ranking. TRAILME also protects the safety and well-being of runners, and by using the dashboard, it will allow organisers to quickly identify and monitor those who drop out of a race and send help to them. The TRAILME dashboard is conveniently available to race organisers via a portable iPad or Tablet.
 

VIRTUAL RACES – UPRISING
 



Live Tracking
2020 will be remembered as a year of cancelled events due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Many trail races in Hong Kong were delayed, put on hold or cancelled as the HK Government increasingly imposed restrictions on the public, prohibiting social gatherings and imposing social distancing rules. However, this did not stop many enthusiast organisers from finding new opportunities and challenges for runners to try to maintain their activity. Many race organisers turned to the idea of virtual races, an ingenious alternative that allows runners the opportunity to complete and perform their "race" in their own time but yet remain socially distanced and safe. TRAILME was the innovative solution that enhanced and created virtual racing experiences. Its virtual race format is outstanding and well supported with different functions and features. As the number of virtual races increased, the unique features of TRAILME caught the attention of race organisers and TRAILME soon became the leading platform of choice for different races in Hong Kong.
 

EVENTS
 



HK360
TRAILME launched its first ever virtual race in October 2020. Hong Kong’s longest race (HK360) had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the organiser devised another plan to stage the event by modifying the course and shortening its distance. This was a big opportunity  TRAILME needed to facilitate the epic challenge of HK36 (16KM and 36KM) virtual race. TRAILME successfully served more than hundred happy finishers who gladly received their hard-earned medals and buckles.  
 



Lunar Challenge I and II
Lunar Trail Challenge I, a 53km race from Golden Hill to Pak Tam Chung and Lunar Trail Challenge II,  comprising both 40km and 60km distances were both socially distanced night races powered by TRAILME which innovatively allowed participants to compete with each other under the same conditions on the same date without risk of crowded gatherings; runners were allocated different times so assemble at the race start point. Most of the participants who took part these challenges received a notification time as soon as they successfully completed the race. In addition  ITRA points were awarded on both Lunar Trail Challenge I and II races. 
 


Oxfam Trailwalker Virtually Together

February OXFAM Trailwalker (OTW) “Virtually” came together On 8th.
 
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, OTW have planned a more flexible formats in terms of completing this race virtually.  Participants had three format options to choose from One Go, Multiple Goes and Choose Your Own Adventure format. TRAILME played a significant role in creating these format through digitalising the trails. Maclehose trails were segmented in 4 sections allowing Trailwalkers to choose the distance they wish to complete. Each participants received record of their time upon completing the course. This event lasted for one month and  more 3500 finishers took part on this event. Some of them had an astonishing and extra ordinary story, goals and challenges that was shared throughout this event as well as enthusiasts runners who beat their personal record on trails. The success of this virtual race came hand in hand with many helpful and dedicated volunteers who virtually came together and offered technical support to some Trailwalkers who are not familiar with the apps. Both OXFAM and TRAILME team worked tirelessly to make everyone a happy and proud finishers.
 



The 12 Peaks
On 28th February Running Biji and Run Population organised the 12 Peaks Virtual Race with two courses and different distances (56 and 16 kilometers). The 56 km route passed 12 significant peaks. Both courses are undoubtedly physically demanding but the spectacular views were very rewarding. This race attracted a lot of competitive runners and with TRAILME’s advanced app-based timing and tracking system, the organiser was able to follow and assist every participant from start to finish. This event ended successfully on 31st March with elite runners competing against each other with incredible performance times and many ordinary runners achieving their targeted times.
 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
https://www.trailme.com.hk  
Provides dynamic updates on all upcoming events. Check out our website and calendar.
 

WHAT'S NEXT
 


We are working diligently to improve and develop the App. New functionality comes out. 

eg. finisher e-certificate, welcome email and specific phone settings tutorial. The race organizers will get very powerful tools on the dashboard to operate their events.
 
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