GPS-based sports events and outdoor challenges without infrastructure

Digital sports events are booming – yet many challenges feel interchangeable: the same mechanics, little connection to the region, hardly any story. LaceUp takes a different path: the platform enables GPS-based sports events and outdoor experiences with character – without any fixed on-site infrastructure.

At the heart of it is an automatic, platform-agnostic analysis of GPS data: whether running watch, bike computer or smartphone app – LaceUp imports the activity, checks it and assigns it to the right format. Organisers get measurable results; participants get a genuine outdoor experience.

What is LaceUp? The independent platform for GPS-based sports events

LaceUp is the independent platform for GPS-based sports events and digital outdoor events. The solution handles:

• user registration
• GPS synchronisation from a wide range of sources
• activity analysis
• the presentation of leaderboards and activities – integrated into your website

That makes events:

• possible without on-site timing infrastructure
• runnable worldwide, wherever GPS is available
• legally clean to evaluate, because the times are our own measurement data – unlike pure Strava segments

Automatic GPS analysis – platform-agnostic & across sports

The technical foundation of LaceUp is an automated GPS analysis that:

• works platform-agnostically (different manufacturers & apps)
• can be used across sports (running, road cycling, MTB, trail running, hiking, e-bike and more)

The key arguments at a glance:

• Automatic analysis of GPS data: activities are imported, checked and matched against defined routes, checkpoints or segments.
• Configurable tolerance: matching tolerance adapts to the use case – generous for trophies/checkpoints, strict for race formats.
• Fairness & data quality: together with ETH Zurich, LaceUp has developed algorithms that detect manipulated or low-quality GPS tracks, ensuring digital fairness.

A training ride becomes an event result – and many activities become a meaningful leaderboard.

Formats & rankings: Race, Tour, Trophy, Enduro & Stage

A central topic for LaceUp are the different ranking formats, which combine flexibly. The key terms:

Race – GPS timing on the course

• GPS timing to the second with route validation
• Ideal for digital races, hill climbs, downhills and trail runs
• Strict tolerances ensure fair rankings

Trophy – checkpoints & geocaching for sports events

• Collect checkpoints (passes, summits, places, city quarters)
• Works like geocaching for sports events: playful, but with a clear goal
• Perfect for destinations & tourism regions that want to activate their highlights

Tour – several routes, one overall ranking

• Total time across different routes
• Ideal for series formats, multi-day challenges or themed routes
• Suits digital tours, season formats or city series

Enduro – scored segments within one activity

• Several scored enduro segments per activity
• Only the exciting sections (e.g. downhills, steep ramps) count
• Optimal for MTB enduro, trail-running enduro or bike-park formats

Stage – stage & season formats

• Several stages with an overall ranking
• Suits multi-day events or whole season series

All formats can be combined with digital badges, series and campaigns – exactly where the "outdoor experiences with character" that LaceUp emphasises come to life.

Website integration: iFrame, API or timing only

For organisers, destinations and brands, technical integration is decisive – and an important lever, because the content stays on your own domain.

LaceUp offers three integration modes:

1. iFrame integration (embed the ranking)
   • Start lists, leaderboards and activity feeds can be embedded into existing websites via iFrame.
   • SEO advantage: the traffic runs through your domain; LaceUp supplies the event logic.
2. API integration (ranking in your own design)
   • Through an API, data can be integrated into custom frontends.
   • Ideal for your own portals, apps or tailor-made event pages.
3. Pure timing / activity tracking
   • LaceUp can also run purely as GPS timing in the background.
   • Leaderboards, visuals and stories then live in your existing systems – LaceUp supplies the verified data.

Your brand stays at the centre, while LaceUp takes over the complete GPS timing, data quality and support.

Why LaceUp instead of Strava challenges? Data ownership, brand, context

Many digital sports formats today are built on Strava segments. LaceUp deliberately positions itself as an autonomous alternative to Strava challenges:

• Data ownership: the recorded times are our own measurement data, usable and analysable within the scope of the event.
• Platform independence: participants do not need a specific social fitness profile – important for broad audiences.
• Brand at the centre: communication, website and imagery belong to you – LaceUp works in the background.
• Context & regionality: instead of "100 km anywhere" there are passes, summits and places with history – regional activation with context.

FAQ: GPS-based sports events with LaceUp

What is LaceUp?
LaceUp is a platform for GPS-based sports events and digital outdoor challenges that handles registration, GPS analysis and leaderboards, integrating seamlessly into your website.

Which sports does LaceUp support?
LaceUp suits running, road cycling, gravel, MTB, trail running, hiking, e-bike and other outdoor sports, wherever GPS data is available.

How does GPS timing work without infrastructure?
The route, checkpoints or segments are stored digitally. Participants record their activity with a GPS device or app. LaceUp imports the activity, checks it and assigns it to the event – no start arch, no timing mats, no fixed infrastructure.

How is LaceUp integrated into my website?
Leaderboards and activities can be embedded via iFrame or presented fully in your own design through an API. Registration and login run through a branded LaceUp portal with your logo and background image.

Who is LaceUp worthwhile for?
For event organisers, destinations, tourism organisations, clubs and brands that want to run digital sports events, GPS-based challenges or hybrid event formats with a clear data foundation and a strong brand.