How to Measure Running Distance in Google Maps

If you are a runner and want to know how far you have run or will run, you can use Google Maps to determine the distance of your workout. The distance measurement tool is enhanced by the fact that you can save your maps which can help you determine the progress you have made with your running routine. It will only take you a few minutes to get started using Google Maps.

Instructions

1. Open a browser and go to iGoogle.com. Click the "Sign In" link in the top-right corner of the page. Type your username and password in the appropriate fields and click the "Sign in" button.

2. Hit the "Maps" link in the top-left corner of the page. Click the "Set Default Location" link on the left side of the maps page if you have not set it before. Type in your address where you usually start your run in the field in the left column and click the "Save" button.

3. Click the "My Maps" link on the left side of the page. Hit the "Get Started" button below the small video if this is your first map or hit the "Create new map" link if you have created a map before. Type a title and a description of this running route in the appropriate fields and click "Done" in the top of the next left column view that appears. Click "My Maps" again and then click the "Browse the directory" link directly below it.

4. Hit the "Add it to Maps" button underneath the "Distance Measurement Tool" icon in the top left of the window that appears. Click "Add it to Maps" on the tool's main page. Click the "Back to Google Maps" link in the top-left corner of the page. Click the "Distance Measurement Tool" link.

5. Click on the starting point of your run on the map. A green marker will appear. Click on the next point on your run that makes the farthest straight line from the original green point. A red marker will appear.

6. Click on the next point on your run that creates the farthest straight line from the red marker. This will lead the red marker to its next point. Begin to imagine yourself as the red marker and that you can only plot points along your route that make a straight line from the previous point.

7. Continue to plot each turn or directional change as you make your way through your running route. Watch the distance continue to increase in the left column. To change the unit of measurement, hit the "I'm feeling geeky" link in the left column and choose the measurement from the drop-down box that appears.

References

• Tech Pogo: Google Maps Tutorial - How to measure distance between two places