faq | Your Virtual Race

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions.
Here are some common questions about virtual racing, running and thinking about starting to run.

Current App version
Please ensure that you have updated to the current versions.
Apple - 1.2.8
Android - 1.2.5

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us using the blue help bubble below.

What is a virtual race?

A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. ... You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. The Your Virtual Race app will record you time, distance and map your run or walk.

The race is virtual, the ran/walk ks real.

Can I run in my back garden?

Yes, but it is not ideal. The app records your time, distance and location based on a wifi/3g/4g and GPS signal.

So you do need a good signal strength and to be able to run or walk at least 5 meters in open space to be able to record your effort.

Under these circumstances, the app will record your distance and time with reasonable accuracy but the map view will be off a little.

Can I walk the challenge?

Events are open to walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities.

How is my distance tracked?

The Your Virtual Race event app has a built-in GPS tracking feature along with WIFI that will automatically map and record your distance, pace and time for each time you exercise.

You must carry your phone with you for this challenge to have your results uploaded automatically to the event website.

How do I register?

You can register for the event by using the “register” link on the YVR website/charity website and the event social media profiles. These will take you to the platform where we coordinate all of our race registrations.

How do I get my e-bib, completion cert and digital medal?

Once you register online for the event you will receive a confirmation email and also your event branded e-bib with your name printed on it, it’s a good idea for you to share the bib image on social media to try and encourage family and friends to join you in the challenge.

Upon completion of your challenge a congratulations email is sent out with your digital medal and certificate of completion showing your total distance, time and average pace.

What happens if the app doesn’t record or track my run?

For a small percentage of participants, there may be a technical issue with the GPS feature usually due to the phones

operating system, as there are so many systems in use some bugs may occasionally occur. , any issue can be was resolved once we know about it.

Please use the support option on the website for all technical assistance and we will be right back to you.

Can I walk or run with someone?

We advise you to please comply with the current government and public health guidelines in relation to Covid-19 or other public health notifications.

Can I listen to music while using the app?

Yes, just start playing your music first using your favourite app such as Spotify, then go to the YVR app and start your challenge run.

GPS set up for Android devices

1. Turn the phone off/on.

2. Turn GPS off/on.

3. Be sure YVR is allowed to use your location. Settings > Apps > YVR > Permissions > Toggle Location ON. Be sure that you've allowed YVR to use GPS in the background.

4. Disable any battery saver settings including Power Saving Mode, Battery Management, Optimization or any third-party apps. More information on specific devices running Android 6 or higher:

HTC: Settings > Power > Battery optimization > Not optimized > All apps > YVR > Don't optimize > Done.
Huawei: Turn Energy Settings to Normal and add YVR to “Protected Apps.”
Settings > Apps > Advanced > Ignore optimizations > Allowed > All apps > YVR > Allow.
LG: Settings > Battery & power saving > Battery usage > Ignore optimizations > turn ON for YVR.
Motorola: Settings > Battery > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Battery optimization > Not optimized > All Apps > YVR > Don't Optimize.
OnePlus (using OxygenOS Settings): Settings > Battery > Battery optimization > select menu at the top > switch to All apps list > YVR > Don't optimize.
Samsung: Settings > Apps > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Special access > Optimize battery usage > All apps > Toggle OFF for YVR.
Sony: Settings > Battery > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Battery optimization > Apps > YVR.

5. Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > Location > ensure you are using High Accuracy for Location Mode and allowing location access.

6. Check that your location settings are set to High accuracy. Settings > Connections > Location > Locating method > High accuracy.

7. Perform an "AGPS reset" by installing the App GPS Status & Toolbox, then in that app, go to Menu > Manage A-GPS State > Reset.

App data usage

While tracking there is no data usage unless you're viewing the maps, challenges or leaderboards. Otherwise, the app just uses GPS while recording.

Once you've finished tracking your run, the app will need to transfer some data to sync the activity with the Your Virtual Race servers.

That's typically about 1MB for two hours of tracking but can vary a bit. There will also be some very small amount of data transfer to update your Feed.

Please note, however, that if you can wait for a wifi connection to view the feed, leaderboards etc then you can prevent all cellular data usage.

Still need help? Send us a note!