Strava vs MapMyRun

[ReyC]

hi all,

I’ve recently started dual tracking with MapMyRun and Strava. I’ve used mmr for years but was keen to start using Strava as it seems to have a lot more stats/routes.

I’ve noticed that on runs where I’ve used both Strava tracks a much longer distance that mmr. Like 7k on mmr and 7.9k on Strava.

Has anyone else found this? Not sure if I’ve actually been running way more than I thought! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Hello... I cannot speak from experience, except to say sometimes Strava does odd things

But... doing a bit of research... an overall view shows

"Both Map My Run and Strava are running apps that use GPS technology to track workouts. Map My Run is made by Under Armour and claims to have a high degree of accuracy. Strava says that under normal conditions, distance and speed metrics on Strava should be similar to those from a GPS device, but that minor inconsistencies may occur. Some say that Strava is accurate, but that GPS data can be affected by factors like GPS drift and signal loss

This taken from Digital trends...

and... a comment on a running blog;

"...the difference in distance is probably due to how often the apps gets a gps location... or that one is really bad getting the gps points (ie the phone might mess things up when two apps try to use the gps, for example if you take a sharp turn and one app gets a gps point at the turn and the other gets one 5 m before the turn and 5 meter after the turn you will have a difference in distance between those two; one would get 7 m and the other would get 10m"

I feel sure others will arrive to give you their experiences....

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I use Mapmyrun,Mapmywalk and Mapmyride for running, walking and cycling respectively and find them fairly accurate, they use GPS so no need for a SIM card in my phone, however, I notice at the end it doesn't save my workout until I get home, I have used Mapmyrun for all my runs and know exactly where the split kilometres are on the same run I use, the difference on each run is very little, try it out, good luck.

[damienair Administrator]

I use a Garmin watch. It is very basic. I use it for running and walking and it is very accurate. It downloads my activities to Garmin Connect and then to Strava. I'm pretty sure that there would be a difference if I tracked my runs from Strava on my phone using GPS on my phone. It would definitely be less accurate. Apps and GPS on phones will not be as accurate as a GPS watch. There can even be a pretty big difference of 300 to 400 meters between Fitbit and Garmin watches over 5K.

[MrBassmanjazz in reply to damienair]

That's what I do, too, though I've started looking at the Garmin Stats and am wondering if I need Strava?

[ReyC Graduate10]

thanks all. I thought it could be when/how often the gps was pinging. It just seemed like a really big difference. I’ll err on the side of mmr for now so I don’t under prepare for my 10k 😂

And I’ll continue to investigate..

[nowster Graduate10]

Even with data downloaded from a Garmin account (and linked watch) Strava will do its own thing with the GPS points it receives.

Using the exact identical GPS data Garmin and Strava will disagree by a small amount due to the differing interpolation algorithms used to make a smooth track from the individual GPS points.

[ReyC Graduate10]

today I did a 5k- mmr logged it as 5 and Strava logged it as 2.45!

Feels too big to be a gps discrepancy!

Maybe running them both at the same time is messing with Strava… 🤷🏽‍♀️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ReyC]

Is strava measuring in miles?!! That’s a massive difference, even if it has switched units. When you look at the route, did strava stop recording early? I’d feel so hard done by if that happened to me!

[ReyC Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I did wonder and check! But no… weird. I may do a run with only Strava and see how it goes. I have a few routes that I am confident on length so I could test if running them together is an issue. I think I remember the nike app and mmr didn’t play well, they seemed to try to talk over each other! 😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ReyC]

Nike Run Club most definitely does not play well with others!!! That app has been the source of many a tantrum of mine. I remember a speed run where I’d absolutely flown and when I looked at the stats? Pace was apparently slower than walking. Had a total grump in a country lane. Luckily nobody around to see me! Tech is great until it isn’t!!!

[ReyC Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Oh my god I can imagine the frustration!

I find the tech and the compulsion of logging/reviewing my stats a huge motivator but I do sometimes wish a run felt as valid unrecorded as recorded! 😂