The experience of running: Recommending routes using sensory mapping in urban environments

Depending on the route, runners may experience frustration, freedom, or fulfillment. However, finding routes that are conducive to the psychological experience of running remains an unresolved task in the literature. In a mixed-method study, we interviewed 7 runners to identify themes contributing to running experience, and quantitatively examined these themes in an online survey with 387 runners. Using Principal Component Analysis on the survey responses, we developed a short experience sampling questionnaire that captures the three most important dimensions of running experience: performance & achievement, environment, and mind & social connectedness. Using path preferences obtained from the online survey, we clustered them into two types of routes: scenic (associated with nature and greenery) and urban (characterized by the presence of people); and developed a routing engine for path recommendations. We discuss challenges faced in developing the routing engine, and provide guidelines to integrate it into mobile and wearable running apps.