Create the event
Set the route, checkpoints, controls, event places, timing, participant invites, and public link.
Live GPS tracking and event control for outdoor events
Run a changing outdoor event from your phone
MapCatch helps organisers set up simple to advanced outdoor events with interactive elements, manage participants dynamically, and change event parameters live, including routes and checkpoints.
Participants use phones, dedicated trackers, or both. Anyone follows on phone or web.
Phones first
Use participant phones or prepared Android phones when app interaction and low logistics matter.
Trackers when needed
Add GSM, SPOT, Garmin, ZOLEO, uploads, timing data, or corrections where phones are not enough.
Change the event live
Update routes, checkpoints, controls, event places, messages, tracking source changes, and result context during the event.
One official event picture
Keep live positions, participant context, public following, replay, and corrections aligned.
How MapCatch works
From event setup to live event control
Build the event once, then keep it accurate as the route, checkpoints, controls, field, weather, devices, and organiser decisions change.
Choose the tracking mix
Use participant phones, rented Android phones, GSM trackers, satellite trackers, uploaded activities, timing data, or organiser corrections.
Run it live
Send official messages, update routes or controls, switch tracking sources, handle incidents, and keep the event view aligned with reality.
Follow, replay, and explain
Spectators follow the official event picture. Organisers can replay, correct, and explain what happened.
Built by organisers with 20+ years of race experience. Includes Lost Ride and Spiral MTB, where we tested 10 km rolling route reveal and live route changes.
Event types
Built for routes, controls, places, and changing event formats
Use MapCatch for fixed courses, checkpoint logic, reveal rules, optional variants, and event structures that change in the field.
Endurance events
Bikepacking and endurance races
Long routes, sparse fields, route progress, replay, and corrections.
Trail and adventure
Trail runs and adventure races
Checkpoints, crews, route or control changes, safety context, and changing conditions.
Stage formats
Stage competitions
Separate stages, timing context, participant state, and public story.
Outdoor games
Treasure hunts and outdoor games
Locations, clues, missions, proof points, teams, and custom scoring.
Self-paced formats
Self-paced and rolling-start challenges
Different start times with shared rankings, progress, and public following.
Controls and navigation
Orienteering and checkpoint events
Mandatory or optional controls, route choices, map context, and reveal rules.
Remote journeys
Expeditions and remote crossings
Sparse updates, satellite devices, narrative context, and long-duration awareness.
Why it is different
Built for events that change while they are running
MapCatch keeps route, checkpoints, controls, event places, tracking sources, official messages, public following, replay, and corrections aligned while the event unfolds.
Not just dots
Participants and spectators see route progress, standings, messages, source context, replay, and explained corrections.
Not only linear routes
Use routes, checkpoints, controls, event places, optional variants, progressive reveal, and event-specific rules.
Not locked after start
Update routes, controls, messages, tracking sources, and result context while the event is live.
Not tracker-only
Use phones where they fit, trackers where they matter, and uploads or corrections where evidence is needed.
Not silent cleanup
Corrections and tracking source changes can remain visible, auditable, and explainable.
Built for organisers in the field
Manage the event from the start area, checkpoint, car, forest, or finish without returning to a laptop.
Phone-first event control
Can I run the event from my phone?
Yes. Mobile-first organiser controls keep decisions close to the field.
Change the event structure. Publish route, checkpoint, control, or place changes for closures, permit changes, unsafe sections, or optional variants.
Send official event context. Participants can receive messages, control updates, and route context in the app instead of relying on scattered chats.
Switch tracking sources. Move a participant from phone to tracker, tracker to upload, or correction to official result when reality changes.
Keep corrections transparent. Tracking source changes and result corrections can stay explainable instead of silently rewriting the event.
Tracking mix
Can I combine phones, trackers, uploads, and corrections?
Yes. MapCatch can combine several sources for one participant and keep the event story coherent when coverage, batteries, hardware, or organiser decisions change.
Participant phones
Best for low logistics, rich interaction, official messages, route or control updates, and high-detail tracks.
Rented Android phones
Best when you want phone-app benefits but need prepared, predictable hardware.
GSM trackers
Best for simple dedicated equipment where cellular coverage is usable.
SPOT, Garmin, ZOLEO
Best for remote terrain, oceans, long signal gaps, and sparse satellite updates.
Uploads, timing data, corrections
Best for official evidence, post-event completion, checkpoint confirmation, and explainable results.
What changes for organisers
Why MapCatch is more than a tracker map
Traditional tracker-only setup MapCatch live event control
Event model
Usually built around one route and participant dots.
Supports routes, checkpoints, controls, event places, reveal rules, tracking source changes, and corrections.
Hardware
Every participant usually needs assigned hardware.
Start with phones where suitable; add devices only where needed.
Participant interaction
A tracker reports position but tells the participant little.
The app can show route context, official messages, standings, updates, and event state.
Live changes
Course or rule changes often sit outside the tracking map.
Update routes, controls, messages, and tracking sources during the event.
Source fallback
A failed tracker creates a gap or manual cleanup later.
Combine or switch phone, tracker, upload, timing, and correction sources.
Result story
Followers see dots, leaderboard, and maybe replay.
Followers and organisers can understand what changed, why it changed, and how the final result was corrected.
Pricing
What does it cost?
Start with app access for participants. Add rented phones, GSM trackers, satellite trackers, delivery, setup, or race-day support only when your event needs them.
The estimator shows an example setup first. Your quote depends on duration, rented hardware, integrations, and support.
Public following
What do spectators see?
Friends, crews, families, and fans do not need an app.
Spectators do not need an app. They open the public event view to follow positions, progress, standings, ETA, messages, replay, and explained corrections.
Public following is evidence of the official event picture, not the centre of the product.
Trust and safety
What if coverage fails?
MapCatch improves event awareness, but it is not an emergency dispatch service and does not guarantee remote-area coverage.
Plan remote or high-risk events with suitable trackers, communications, local procedures, and support.
Safety awareness and incident context. Stale positions, low battery, off-route context, and organiser messages can support human decisions without replacing emergency procedures.
Changing conditions. Route, checkpoint, control, or place changes can be published with official messages when weather, access, or field decisions require it.
Plan your event
Ready to plan a live event control setup?
Tell us the format, terrain, participant count, event structure, and where conditions may change.