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

At its core is an automatic, platform-agnostic evaluation of GPS data: whether from a running watch, bike computer, or smartphone app, LaceUp reads the activity, checks it, and assigns it to the correct format. Organizers receive measurable results, and participants enjoy a genuine outdoor experience.

What is LaceUp? Independent platform for GPS-based sporting events

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

• user registration
• GPS synchronization from different sources
• the evaluation of activities
• The display of rankings and activities – integrated into your website

This makes events:

• possible without on-site timing infrastructure
• Can be used worldwide as long as GPS is available
• Legally valid for evaluation, as it is your own measurement data—unlike pure Strava segments.

Automatic evaluation of GPS data – platform-agnostic & cross-sport

The technical basis of LaceUp is an automated GPS evaluation that:

• Works on any platform (different manufacturers & apps)
• Can be used for a variety of sports (running, road cycling, MTB, trail running, hiking, e-biking, and much more)

Important arguments at a glance:

• Automatic evaluation of GPS data: Activities are imported, checked, and compared with defined routes, checkpoints, or segments.
• Configurable tolerance: Depending on the use case, the matching tolerance can be adjusted—e.g., generous for trophy/checkpoints, strict for race formats.
• Fairness & data quality: Together with ETH Zurich, LaceUp has developed algorithms that detect manipulated or poor-quality GPS tracks, thus ensuring digital fairness.

This turns a training ride into an event result—and many activities into a meaningful ranking.

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

A key topic for LaceUp is the various ranking formats that can be flexibly combined. The most important terms:

Race – GPS timing on the track

• GPS time measurement accurate to the second with route validation
• Ideal for digital races, hill climbs, downhills, and trail runs
• Strict tolerances ensure fair ranking

Trophy – Checkpoints & Geocaching for Sporting Events

• Collect checkpoints (passes, summits, locations, city districts)
• Works like geocaching for sporting events: playful, but with a clear goal
• Perfect for destinations and tourist regions that want to activate their highlights

Tour – multiple routes, one overall ranking

• Total time for different routes
• Ideal for series formats, multi-day challenges, or themed routes
• Suitable for digital tours, seasonal formats, or city series

Enduro – scored segments within an activity

• Multiple scored enduro segments per activity
• Only the exciting sections (e.g., downhills, steep sections) are included in the scoring.
• Ideal for MTB enduro, trail running enduro, or bike park formats

Stage – Stage & season formats

• Several stages with overall classification
• Suitable for multi-day events or entire season series

All formats can be combined with digital badges, series, and campaigns —this is precisely where the "outdoor experiences with character" that LaceUp emphasizes come into play.

Integration into websites: iFrame, API, or pure time measurement

For event organizers, destinations, and brands, technical integration is crucial—and an important lever, because the content remains on their own domain.

LaceUp offers three types of integration:

1. iFrame integration (embed ranking)
   • Start lists, rankings, and activity feeds can be integrated into existing websites via iFrame.
   • Advantage for SEO: Traffic runs through your domain, LaceUp provides the event logic.
2. API integration (ranking in your own design)
   • Data can be integrated into individual front ends via a programming interface (API).
   • Ideal for your own portals, apps, or customized event pages.
3. Pure time measurement / activity tracking
   • LaceUp can also be used solely as a GPS time measurement tool in the background.
   • Rankings, visuals, and stories are then created in your existing systems—LaceUp provides the verified data.

This way, your brand remains the focus, while LaceUp takes care of all GPS timing, data quality, and support.

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

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

• Data sovereignty: The recorded times are your own measurement data, which may be used and evaluated within the scope of the event.
• Platform independence: Participants do not need a specific social fitness profile – important for broad target groups.
• Brand at the center: Communication, website, and imagery are yours—LaceUp works in the background.
• Context & regionality: Instead of "100 km somewhere," there are passes, peaks, and places with history—in other words, regional activation with context.

FAQ: GPS-based sporting events with LaceUp

What is LaceUp?
LaceUp is a platform for GPS-based sporting events and digital outdoor challenges that handles registration, GPS evaluation, and rankings and can be seamlessly integrated into your website.

What sports does LaceUp support?
LaceUp is suitable for running, road cycling, gravel biking, MTB, trail running, hiking, e-biking, and other outdoor sports, as long as 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 reads the activity, checks it, and assigns it to the event—without any starting arches, timing mats, or fixed infrastructure.

How is LaceUp integrated into my website?
Rankings and activities can be embedded via iFrame or displayed completely in your own design via an API. Registration and login are handled via a branded LaceUp portal with your logo and background image.

Who can benefit from LaceUp?
Event organizers, destinations, tourism organizations, associations, and brands that want to implement digital sports events, GPS-based challenges, or hybrid event formats with a clear database and strong brand.

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