Even though I consider myself quite skilled with computers, I am slow when it comes to applying technology to my life in new ways. It was just last week that I decided to try out Google Earth’s ‘path’ feature to measure the length of my run. Unfortunately, when I got into the program, I realized that a saved path couldn’t be measured, and a measured path couldn’t be saved. What a dilemma!
After a little bit of searching, I discovered a site that will allow you to calculate the distance of any saved path in Google Earth. If you highlight the path name in the sidebar and copy it, you can paste it into the box on the site as xml.
The picture above is the run I did last Saturday, before exams destroyed my life. School is on the left and the Cobb’s Hill Reservoir, my destination, is on the far right. The path I made put the distance at 9.3 miles. I’ve made the kmz file available for download.
I suppose I could just measure the path once, but I really would like to be able to keep these paths, for two reasons. It would be nice to be able to change them later on, in case I make a slight variation on a run. But the real reason is that I just love data. I think it would be really neat to make an entire collection of the runs that my team does, and then put them on the internet for anyone to download – new freshmen, other area runners, etc.
I also want to use Google Earth to find some new places to run this summer. I’ve been canvassing the same trails for five or six years, and they are getting worn out. A lot of my runs need to be extended to fit college training distance as well.
Does this mean you’re actually going to run this summer?
Yes, have you been looking at Athleticore? Right now I’m above you on the leaderboard, Kevin
Hi, what is the website that you can measure the paths with? thanks, chris
Sorry the link wasn’t clear above. It’s:
http://www.emaltd.net/google/gec/utilities/index.asp?l=en
I know this is a reply to an old post, but I run in the area & have found some cool tools online…
logyourrun.com has a good mapping feature (built around G.E.) but is more about keeping running logs.
mapmyrun.com has better G.E. integration & lets you trace out a route then export it to G.E., post it to your blog, etc.
Both of these sites let you search for local runs others have posted.
Maybe we’ll bump into each other someday back in Rochester – I run around Canal Path / South Ave / Elmwood / Highland occasionally.
How does the Path feature even work on Google Earth. I have tried it, and it dosen’t seem to work. Could any one help me?
Thanks