Join and Play an Event
This page explains the flow from choosing an event category or course to finishing.
This page covers standard individual play. If any of the following applies, see the respective page.
- Joining a Safety Tracking Event that uses location sharing: Join a Safety Tracking Event
- Joining with a Team Number and combining scores: Team Play
- Recording photos freely, independent of any course setup: Rogaining Camera
Rules to follow when you take part
To take part safely and enjoy the event, follow these rules.
- Do not enter private property
- Follow all traffic rules
- Follow the organizer's information and instructions. The means of transport allowed (on foot, by bicycle, by public transport, and so on) differ from event to event, so follow the event's rules
- If you are unlikely to finish within the time limit, contact the organizer
If anything is unclear or worries you, check with the organizer before the event.
Start playing
Prepare to start
- Choose the category or course you want to join on the event details screen.
- The map screen opens.
- Tap the Start button at the bottom of the screen.
- A dialog to confirm your display name appears. Enter your Entry Number if needed.
- Choose whether to turn Live Tracking on or off. It is on by default.
To go back to the previous screen without starting, tap the ✕ button on the screen. The ✕ button is shown only before you start; it is not shown during play or after you finish.
On the map screen, the device's back button and the back gesture (a swipe from the edge of the screen) cannot be used. This is by design, to keep the play screen from closing through an accidental touch while you are moving the map, and they do not respond either before you start or during play.
On the map screen, you cannot swipe from the edge of the screen to go back.
Start location
- Score and Fixed Order courses - You must be near the start spot, within the punch range of the category: by default about 20 meters for manual punch and about 40 meters for auto and camera punch
- Score (Free Start and Finish) courses - You can start from anywhere
If the organizer has configured a start time, you can prepare to start from about five minutes before that time. If you have completed the start preparation, play begins automatically at the start time. If not, you start automatically when you are near the start spot within 60 seconds after the start time; after that you start manually (either way, timing runs from the start time).
On a course with quizzes, if the start spot has a description, the start spot's details screen may open automatically right after you start. You can take a photo with the Take photo button on that screen (quizzes cannot be set on a start spot, so there is no quiz to answer here). In ordinary events you do not need to take a photo at the start, and this screen does not appear. It does not appear in mass-start events either.
Understanding the map screen
The following information is shown on the map screen during play.
Information panel at the top
- Elapsed time or, on score courses, remaining time
- Score or earned points
- Visited spots / total number of spots
- Distance traveled
- Pace (shown only while you play against an existing record; it shows the difference from the reference as - ahead / + behind)
- GPS accuracy
Markers on the map
| Marker | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple triangle | Start spot |
| Purple circle (numbered) | Control spot not yet visited |
| Light green circle | Control spot already visited |
| Blue circle | Spot where timing stops (Pause; dark blue after you pass it). On Fixed Order courses, the line of an untimed leg is also blue |
| Red circle | Spot with a negative score |
| Blue dot | Your current location |
The finish spot is also shown as a purple circle. Spots whose map symbol is hidden (secret spots) do not appear on the map.
Buttons
- Zoom in / Zoom out - Change the map zoom level
- Current Location - Move the map back to your location. Depending on the event settings, the Current Location button may not be shown, or your location may only appear for a few seconds when you tap it
- Menu - Open a menu that brings together the spot list, course information, and actions such as finish or retire
- QR Scan - In events that punch with QR codes, a QR scan button appears at the right end of the bottom buttons. It is shown only after you start (while playing); tapping it opens the camera so you can read a spot's QR code. It also appears in events that have Bonus QR set up (see "Events where you can earn bonus points" below)
On courses set to "GPS + QR (both required)," the QR Scan button is dimmed and cannot be tapped until you get close to a spot. Once you move near the spot, it becomes tappable.
However, in events that have Bonus QR set up (score courses), the scan button is always tappable regardless of how far you are from a spot. A spot's punch QR can only be read when you are near it, but a Bonus QR can be read anywhere.
When you rotate the map, a compass appears; tap it to return to north-up.
The organizer may set a usage limit or penalty (score deduction or time addition) on the Current Location button.
- Orange border - When the Current Location button has an orange border, it is a sign that using it has a cost: a usage limit, a time addition, or a score deduction on courses other than Fixed Order.
- Confirmation dialog - When you tap a Current Location button that has a cost (a usage limit, a deduction, or a time addition), a confirmation dialog appears before your location is shown. If a deduction or time addition is set, the dialog shows those details; if a usage limit is set, it shows the number of uses remaining ("You can use it N more time(s)."). Tap Show to display your location and count one use, or Cancel to do nothing (your location is not shown and no use is counted).
- Counting uses - A use is counted as one only when your location is shown successfully. If GPS cannot be obtained, "Could not get your location" appears, and neither a count nor a penalty is applied.
- When the limit is reached - Once you reach the usage limit, tapping the button no longer shows your location and "You have reached the usage limit" appears.
The number of uses and the penalty are also recorded in the results.
Menu items
These items open from the Menu button at the bottom of the screen. Which ones appear depends on the situation (before or during play, course type, team play or not).
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| App Settings | Opens the app settings (play settings and general settings) |
| Spot list / Visited Spots | The list of spots, and the photos and upload status of visited spots |
| Finish / Abort | Finish manually, or abort as DNF |
| Skip next spot | On Fixed Order courses, skips the next spot and moves on |
| Zoom to fit all spots | Zooms the map so the whole course fits |
| Course information | Shows the course type, time limit, number of spots, and so on |
| Change display name for this event / Set Entry Number (or Update Entry Number once set) | Change the display name or Entry Number used for this event, even during play (not available in team play categories) |
| Show other players / Hide other players, Current players | Toggles other participants' positions on the map, and lists the participants. Not shown when the organizer has hidden other players. In team play these become Show other team members / Team Member List |
| Update Team Name | Gives your team a name in team play |
| Import GPX file | Before starting, creates a play record from a GPX file such as one from a GPS watch |
| Test detection of nearby beacons / Test auto punch sound | Check beacon reception or the auto punch sound in advance |
| Skip start point (usually not used) | Starts play where you are without going to the start point. Depending on the event, your result may be treated as unofficial |
Visit a spot and punch
When you arrive near a spot or checkpoint, you can punch it to record the visit. The punch method depends on the category settings.
Main punch methods
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Auto Punch | The visit is recorded automatically when you enter the spot range |
| Manual Punch | Tap the button at the bottom of the screen to record the visit |
| Camera Punch | Manual punch plus taking a photo. Tap the button, open the camera, and take a photo to record the visit |
| QR Code Punch | Scan the QR code posted at the spot to record the visit. On courses where QR is enabled, a scan button appears at the bottom of the screen |
When punching succeeds, the app notifies you with vibration and sound. For Auto Punch you can choose from three sounds, including a voice that reads out the control number and your time. See Punch Method Guide - Sound and vibration for details.
If you press the normal punch button at a spot that must be punched with a QR code, the message "Punch this control by scanning its QR code." appears. Choose Scan to open the camera. Note that this is a separate feature from QR check-in (matching participants against the roster).
See Punch Method Guide for details about how each method works and how it is configured, including QR Code Punch.
On score courses, you may be able to earn bonus points in addition to visiting spots. There are two types: Bonus QR, which you scan during play to add the points, and Combo Bonus, which is awarded automatically when you visit the required number of the specified checkpoints. While playing a score course, if the event has Bonus QR set up, the QR Scan button appears even when QR Code Punch is not enabled.
Bonus QR is available only in individual play. If you scan it in a team competition category, "Bonus QR codes are not available in team events yet." appears. Combo Bonus is also awarded in team competitions. Also, in categories that have a Combo Bonus configured, an orange Combo Bonus tag and a list of target checkpoints and thresholds appear on the category screen before you start.
For details, see Bonus points (QR & combo).
Spot list
From the menu's Spot List, you can view all spots in the course.
- Spot name and points
- Visit status - Visited spots show a timestamp
- Photos - Photos taken with Camera Punch when applicable
Tap a spot to view more details and images.
Finish
How to finish by course type
- Score
- Fixed Order
- Score (Free Start and Finish)
In auto-punch categories, play finishes automatically without confirmation as soon as you enter the range of the finish spot. In manual and camera punch categories, tap the Finish button at the bottom of the screen when you are near the finish spot. A confirmation dialog appears, and play ends when you confirm.
If you exceed the time limit, an overtime penalty is applied with the overtime rounded up to whole minutes (even 1 second over counts as a full minute). The deduction is reflected in real time in the score shown during play. The deduction per minute depends on the category settings.
Visit all spots in the specified order. When you reach the finish spot, play ends and your time is recorded.
If you really cannot reach the next spot, you can move on to the following spot with Skip Next Spot from the menu (a confirmation dialog appears).
This course type does not have fixed start and finish spots. You can end play from anywhere whenever you want to finish, by choosing Finish from the menu. Once you have punched all spots, a finish confirmation also appears from the punch button.
After finishing
When play ends, the results screen appears. You can check your score, time, and visited spots. For a detailed explanation, see Results and Route Review.
Timing, start, and finish rules
This section summarizes how the app handles time during play. If the event has its own rules, the organizer's guidance takes priority.
Mass-start (scheduled) events
- From 5 minutes before the start time, you can prepare with the start button ("From 5 minutes before the start time, you can begin preparations for the mass start."). Once prepared, the button shows Ready to Start and play starts automatically at the start time
- Even if you did not prepare, you start automatically if you are near the start spot within 60 seconds after the start time. After that, press the start button yourself
- If you start late, timing still runs from the start time: on score courses your remaining time is shorter, and on Fixed Order courses your elapsed time is longer
- Once the maximum play time has passed since the start time, the button shows Closed and you can no longer start
After the time limit
- Play continues after the time limit, and punches are still recorded. On score courses, an overtime penalty rounded up to whole minutes is deducted, and it is reflected in real time in the score shown during play
- During play, the remaining time is shown in a notification (Android) or on the lock screen (iOS). While over the limit it shows "Time limit exceeded"
Exceeding the maximum play time ends play forcibly
Separate from the time limit, there is a maximum play time after which play is cut off automatically: for Score / Score (start anywhere) it is one hour after the time limit (but at least 8 hours); for Fixed Order it is the time limit itself.
When it is exceeded, the app shows "You have exceeded the maximum play time.", play is forcibly ended, and the record becomes DNF. Note that on Fixed Order courses this happens the moment the time limit is exceeded by even one second.
Automatic finish
In auto-punch categories, once you have punched at least one control, entering the range of the finish spot finishes play automatically without confirmation. On courses where the start and finish are at the same place, you cannot finish until you have visited at least one control.
If you forget to finish
A record left without finishing or retiring is changed to DNF by the server 36 hours after the start (processed daily at 6:00 and 18:00 Japan time). Its time is set to a flat 24 hours. This is why a "24-hour DNF" record may appear.
Always finish (or retire) when you have completed the course.
GPS accuracy indicator
GPS accuracy in the information panel at the top shows the approximate position error in four levels.
| Indicator | Approximate error |
|---|---|
| Good | Under 48 m |
| Fair | 48 m to under 163 m |
| Poor | 163 m or more |
| No | No position available |
At "Fair" or worse, automatic punching may not respond reliably. Waiting a moment under open sky often improves it.
Live Tracking
If you turn Live Tracking on when you start, your location is shared in real time while you are playing.
- Organizer live map - Organizers can view participant locations
- Other participants - Depending on the event settings, you may also be able to see other participants on the map
Live Tracking is optional. However, you cannot turn it off in events where the organizer has made it mandatory.
In events where the organizer has turned on "Hide result details and photos," photos taken by other participants are not shown on the spot details or spot list. Photos you took yourself and sample photos are still shown as before. For more details, see Results and Route Review.
Messages
Each event has one place for messages that participants and organizers can read and write, In-Event Messages. It is shared by everyone in the event, whatever their category. In events where the organizer has enabled it, you can also use Direct Contact with Organizer to talk one-to-one with the organizer.
| Where to open it | How to open it |
|---|---|
| Event screen | The two buttons with speech-bubble icons in the row of buttons at the top (In-Event Messages and Direct Contact). You need to be logged in |
| Play screen | The buttons stacked at the right edge of the map (from the top: show or hide the list, In-Event Messages, Direct Contact). You can send without logging in |
- In events that require approval, you cannot open In-Event Messages from the event screen until you are approved ("Your request has not been approved."). Direct Contact can be opened before approval
- People who have not started can also read and write from the event screen. The live map screen has no messaging
- In events where the organizer has limited sending to organizers, "Read-only (posting limited to organizers)" appears and you cannot post to In-Event Messages
- In events where Direct Contact is disabled, its button is gray, and tapping it shows "Direct contact with the organizer is not available for this event."
- In team-play categories, the Direct Contact button on the play screen is replaced by Team Messages (see Team Play)
During play, the top button at the right edge of the map shows or hides a list of recent messages over the map (it is hidden at first). Messages from the organizer pop up as New message within 60 seconds of being sent, as long as the play screen is open. Instead of the sender's name, organizer messages carry a label such as "Organizer to All" or "Organizer to You".
Messages the organizer sends through Direct Contact also arrive as push notifications. In-Event Messages are not sent as push notifications, so keep the play screen open during play so that you do not miss important announcements.
What happens where there is no signal
Even if you go out of network coverage during a competition, you can keep playing. Punches are judged with the device's GPS, records are stored on the device, and everything is sent automatically once you are back in coverage.
| Works without coverage | Needs a connection |
|---|---|
| Punching (GPS, manual, camera, a spot's QR) | Scanning a check-in QR |
| Finishing or retiring | Joining a team (registering the team number) |
| Scanning a Bonus QR | Updating rankings and other participants' results |
| Showing map tiles that are already cached | Sharing your position with Live Tracking |
- Photos — You can take photos out of coverage, and the punch is confirmed on the spot. The photo is stored on your device, the message "The photo will be sent automatically once you have a good connection." appears, and it is sent as soon as you are back online. Photos still waiting are marked "Upload pending" in the spot list
- Syncing records — A record that has not been sent yet shows "☁️ Not synced yet. This record is saved on your device and will be uploaded automatically when you're online." on the result screen. Nothing is lost while it is unsynced
- Maps — Areas you have not cached cannot be displayed. If you expect to lose coverage, open the course area while you still have a connection before the start so the map is loaded
The course information is loaded when the play screen opens, and the record is saved and synced when you finish. Stretches without coverage along the way are not a problem, but doing the start and the finish where you have a connection avoids trouble.
For how this works in safety events (the connection status display, and an SOS being sent automatically once you are back in coverage), see Location and Tracking FAQ - Can it be used outside mobile coverage?.
Pausing or stopping play
Pause
If the course has pause spots, timing stops there. While timing is stopped, the time at the top of the screen flashes blue. The paused time is deducted from your recorded time.
Fixed Order courses — When you punch the control at the start of an untimed leg, timing stops automatically, and when you punch the next control, it resumes automatically. You do not need to do anything. The leg line and the controls at both ends are shown in blue on the map.
Score and Score (Free Start and Finish) courses — At a pause control, shown in blue, you pause and resume timing yourself.
- Punch the pause control
- While you are near that control (within the punch range), the button at the bottom of the screen changes to Pause. Tap it and confirm to stop timing
- To resume, tap Resume near the same control and confirm
- Once you resume, you cannot pause at that control again (the resume confirmation also says "If you resume, you will no longer be able to pause at this control."). You can pause again at another pause control
- You can pause only at the pause control you punched last. If you punch another control after it, you can no longer pause there
- While paused, you cannot punch other spots, and you cannot scan a Bonus QR ("Please resume before punching." appears). Resume first, then punch or scan
- If you move away while paused, "In order to resume, get close to the control you paused." appears. If you tap Resume away from the control, you can choose Undo Pause. If you undo the pause, the paused time is not deducted from your record
- In the spot-by-spot record of your results, the time at the control where you paused is marked with ⏸
Retire
If you stop before finishing, choose Retire from the menu. Your result is recorded as DNF, which means Did Not Finish.