Forstern's digital path through nature

The orienteers offer a route selection via QR code.

BY MARKUS OSTERMAIER

Forstern - sport and fresh air are important for the immune system.

That is why the orienteering club (OL) Forstern wants to encourage everyone to exercise more.

There has been a digital running challenge here since February.

So far there are two running routes, further routes are being planned.

Orienteering offers in the classic sense are not yet widespread.

In the district there is only one such club in Forstern, which regularly offers runs across the wilderness.

The participants have to orientate themselves with a map and compass.

In 2014, OL Forstern was founded as a department at the local FC.

Two years later, the group set up its own association.

Because of Corona, the OL 2020 could not carry out its planned orientation and cross-country runs.

Now the club has considered a new campaign: a virtually organized running challenge.

In addition to the usual jogging equipment, all you need is a little motivation and a smartphone, the OL advertises on its homepage.

Before starting the training, you have to download the “iorientieering” app so that you can scan the QR codes for timing on one of the two designated routes.

As the chairman Erich Holzhammer (48) reports, the board had thought about actions for members, “since the training has been almost impossible for a good year”.

His deputy Markus Stumpfegger agrees and refers to his nine-year-old son Valentin, who normally plays for FC Forstern, as an example.

"At the moment, of course, they are not allowed to train, and their stamina falls by the wayside," regrets the 51-year-old.

Both have observed that the sport of jogging has been re-implemented since the pandemic.

The digital support offers a further incentive.

With the iorienteering app, the OL was able to secure the free function of developing its own running routes and providing them with QR codes, so-called checkpoints.

The association has walked the intended routes once, manually provided them with start and finish codes and published two routes on the Internet.

You have to internalize this plan or print it out.

The app does not guide its users like a GPS, explains Holzhammer.

The jogger must scan the printed QR code at the designated starting point.

After the official virtual starting shot, the specified route codes must be passed one after the other and scanned with the app.

At the end you get the exact running time, which can be voluntarily shared in iorienteering after registration, in order to be able to compare yourself with other runners.

However, the associated idea of ​​competition is a minor matter, emphasizes Holzhammer.

In this way you can also follow your own developments over time in several runs.

The orienteering does not see any major technical hurdles.

All you have to do is ensure that you scan the QR code correctly: "So you can't really shake."

According to Holzhammer, the runners from the orienteering took on the challenge well.

Markus Stumpfegger also often jogs with his son Valentin or his wife Madeleine, who is a trained running trainer.

The 42-year-old was only active again on the morning of the press conference: "I almost prefer to run now than in summer when it is so hot."

So far there have only been two running challenge routes: the sports field circuit (1.3 km) specially designed for children and a 5.6 kilometer route from the Forsterner Eicher Museum to Hohenlinden and back.

The tours were a test.

Holzhammer is currently working out longer stretches that include even more field and forest paths.

The 48-year-old states: "We have a lot of ideas, but Corona is slowing us down a lot." Due to the pandemic, the association has already lost members.

Around 50 people have remained loyal so far.

Markus Stumpfegger hopes that the running challenge will also arouse interest in the club.

If Corona allows it again, his wife Madeleine would like to introduce a running club.

Holzhammer's goal is also to hold the cross-country runs again in 2021.

The routes of the Forsterner running routes and more information at www.ol-forstern.de.

You

can't do

without an app

Longer courses

are in progress