Strava have announced an update that will make runners lives a lot easier – Runner’s World (UK)

Did you even do the run if it’s not on your Strava? One of the most popular running apps in the UK, recent data from the 2019 London Marathon showed that 42% of the field uploaded their run to the app once they had finished. Today, Strava have announced an important upgrade as they partner with Mapbox to produce new global static maps.

Strava’s new maps are a custom product, created by engineers and designers from Strava and Mapbox and have been designed to highlight the details that runners and cyclists care about. Most runners will have noticed at some time or another that most maps are optimised for cars. Strava’s new maps purposefully de-emphasis car-oriented features, such as motorway names, in favour of trail names, elevation contours and other visual enhancements.

When does this roll out?

The update has happened today and for some users, they’ll already notice the new and improved maps. Others might not be able to see it just yet, but it’s coming.

Strava

Why have Strava done this?

James Quarles, Strava’s CEO said, “we are thrilled to share this significant upgrade with our members, with more terrain detail and improved accuracy and aesthetics of how GPS tracks appear.

“Mapbox is a mapping leader, and we’re excited about the athlete-optimized map that our two teams created for the global Strava community.”

CEO of Mapbox, Eric Gundersen, added, “I run with Strava wherever I am in the world and the new Strava experience is next level. The maps are gorgeous, and it’s been pushing me to share these stunning routes even more because they look that good. So pumped to discover new runs as Strava’s community shares their trails and I find new places to push myself even farther.”

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