Host Guide

Last updated: June 23, 2025

Last updated: December 2025

Welcome, future host! This guide summarizes the most important steps and principles for successfully offering your own HOMETURF in our community. For full details, please refer to the complete Community Guidelines.

Your HOMETURF in 3 Steps

1. Create Your Hometurf

Access your host dashboard and click "Create New Hometurf" to set up your running route. You have three options:

📁 Option 1: Upload GPX File (Recommended)

Upload a GPX file from your running app (e.g., Strava, Komoot, Garmin). The following data will be automatically extracted:

  • Route Name: Taken from the GPX file (can be customized)
  • Distance: Automatically calculated from GPS points
  • Elevation Gain: Automatically calculated from elevation data
  • Route Polyline: Used to generate a map preview

Note: Meeting point and description must be added manually.

✏️ Option 2: Manual Entry

Enter all route details manually if you don't have a GPX file.

Required Fields (All Options):

  • Hometurf Name: A clear, descriptive name for your route (max. 100 characters)
  • Description: Details about the route to help participants prepare (max. 5000 characters)
  • Distance (km): The total distance of your route
  • Elevation (m): Total elevation gain
  • Surface Type: Choose from Road, Trail, or Mixed
  • Meeting Point URL: Google Maps link to where runners should meet

Optional Fields:

  • Default Pace: Expected pace in min/km (e.g., "06:15") - helps tourists assess fit
  • Route Image: Automatically generated from GPX or can be uploaded manually
  • Explorable: Enabled by default - your hometurf appears on the explore page even without scheduled runs

2. Schedule Your Runs

Once your hometurf is created, you can schedule individual runs. From your hometurf page, click "Schedule Run" to set up a specific session.

Required Information:

  • Date: Choose when you want to host the run (future dates only)
  • Start Time: Set the meeting time (15-minute increments)

Optional Settings:

  • Max Participants: Limit the number of runners (1-50 people) or enable "Unlimited Participants"
  • Anticipated Pace: Overrides your hometurf's default pace for this specific run (format: MM:SS per km)
  • Recurring Runs: Schedule regular runs (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) with an end date

⚠️ Automatic Conflict Detection

The system automatically checks if you have other runs scheduled on the same day (both as a host and as a participant). If there are overlaps, you'll receive a warning with the option to proceed anyway or adjust the schedule.

3. Manage Participants

Tourists can join your scheduled runs directly through the app. All join requests are automatically confirmed - you don't need to manually approve them.

What You Can Expect:

  • Auto-Confirmation: Tourists are immediately registered when they click "Join"
  • Notifications: You receive a notification when your run reaches maximum capacity (not for each individual join)
  • Participant List: Visible on your host dashboard with all confirmed participants
  • Built-in Messaging: Chat function for run coordination (only available when at least one participant is registered)
  • Run Management: Ability to cancel runs or remove participants if needed

🌍 Explorable Hometurfs

Your hometurf is "explorable" by default - this means:

  • It appears on the explore page even without scheduled runs
  • Tourists can follow your hometurf
  • Followers receive notifications when you schedule new runs
  • Tourists can contact you and request a run

Key Principles for Hosts

🤝 Private & Together

Remember: A HOMETURF is strictly not an official event, but a purely private meeting among runners. The operator is not the organizer, promoter, or liable party for the private meetings. You look out for one another and participate at your own risk.

🛡️ Personal Responsibility & Risk Assessment

You act as a host for a private meeting, not as an official organizer or guide. Hosts decide on their own responsibility regarding the risk assessment, the realization, and the execution of a run. There are no fixed rules for minimum participant numbers - you make this decision yourself.

💬 Open to Feedback

Be open to suggestions and constructive criticism. Objective feedback helps the entire community improve.

Ready to Create Your First Hometurf?

Head to your host dashboard and start sharing your favorite running routes with the community.

Go to Host Dashboard