There are many apps and devices that people use to program and track their activities and create or find routes to run. The most popular apps seem to be Garmin Connect, Strava, and MapMyRun. Garmin uses the term "course", and Strava and MMR use "route".
For each course, the course description page on this website contains a map image, a narrative description, and links to the course/route on each of three supported applications. The applicaton's course or route page will have a more interactive map of the course, with various display options. View the map to get generally oriented -- a satellite imagery background works best for trails. It is recommended that you view the map on a PC or Mac. Not all of the display features are available on the mobile websites. The narrative course description may be helpful in getting the general idea and in pointing out any important details.
You can transfer the Garmin Connect course to a course-compatible Garmin device, or you can make the Strava or MMR routes available on your Strava or MMR phone app. From either route page you can download a .gpx file, if that will be useful to you in using a different method. Be aware that not all .gpx files are alike! Files exported from Garmin Connect and Strava contain lat/lon trackpoints with an associated elevation and a time. Files exported from MapMyRun have only lat/lon trackpoints.
Viewing the course map on the Garmin Connect website, you can select different options for the map display, (e.g. satellite view) on the right side of the display. Displaying the Mile Marker option will show you the intended direction of travel. There is a white pane on the left side of the course screen, with some information about the course. If you click on the ... menu at the lower right of this pane, there is an option to download a .gpx file to your computer.
To export the course to a compatible Garmin device, you will need a Garmin Connect account, and if you are signed in to your account, you will see a Send to Device button at the bottom of the white pane. If you are not familiar with doing this, review the User Guide to your device for specific instructions to upload the course on your device and follow the course using the device. There is a Garmin Connect phone app, but there does not appear to be a way to follow a Garmin Course using just your phone. However, after your run you will be able to use the app to view your track and time and take a screenshot for posting.
If you have a Strava account and the Strava app installed on your phone, you can access and follow the route using the Strava app. On your computer, the track can be displayed on either a terrain or satellite imagery background. Mousing over the elevation profile below the map, from left to right, will show a dot progressing along the map track in the intended direction. There are two ways to make the route viewable on your app: 1) On the website, click on the star icon next to the route title, or 2) Duplicate the route to make it one of your own routes. In either case, when you are ready to run, click Record at the bottom of the screen, then select the little dotted route icon at the bottom left. You will see a list of routes. Click Do Route on the one you want to follow. Then you will again see the map page with both the route map and your position. Then click Start. Here's a link to further information on Strava.
You can load a Strava route on your Garmin Course-capable watch. You will need to set the permission on the Garmin app. Here's another article on Strava.
You will need an account on MapMyRun.com, and the MapMyRun app installed on your phone. The week's posted route link will show the route, with mile markers to show the intended direction. The background can be set to satellite imagery or terrain. The terrain contours are more apparent when you zoom out a bit. With a touch screen, the display can be zoomed.
There are two ways to make the track visible on your phone app: 1) Click on the "Bookmark" icon at the top of the map (not the URL bookmark). Or 2) Under "More", select Duplicate to include it as one of your own routes. Under More, you can also download a .gpx or .klm (Google Earth) file.
When you are ready to run the route, open the app. It should open to a Workout page, with a map of the area surrounding your current gps position and a green Start Workout button near the bottom.
Use the Load Route button near the top of the map to access your routes. Your route should be shown in the Bookmarked list, if you used that method, or in My Routes, if you duplicated it. Select the route you want to follow, and when the larger route map is displayed, touch the check mark (or it may show "Do It") at the top right of the screen. Now you should be back on the workout page, with the route map overlaid. Select Start Workout and you will be all set!
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