Corral
is a social running app
Corral is a community that allows one to find the most compatible running partners.
project Overview
As I contemplated my final project in Shenkar Handesaim I thought about my passion for running, which started at a very early age. I realized how much life has made it difficult to keep up with running. I needed motivation, I needed the right opportunity.
The problem
What motivates me to get off the coach and start running is both the challenge as well as the interest that I find in running with partners.
How can I find partners that will challenge me and run at my pace?
Find someone to run with
The Solution
Corral is where you meet new people, experience new challenges and improve your fitness and quality of life.
This is a running community, at the palm of your hand. You can join or create groups for people just like you - running at the same pace & location, and meet when anytime it fits your schedule.
Survey
I conducted an online survey with about 100 respondents. The survey's goal was to assess the need and willingness of the respondents to run in groups with people they do not yet know, as well as the main challenges with keeping up a running schedule.
60%
Of people would rather run with a companion
common challenges
55%
Of people say they have no problem running with people they do not know as long as they're at their pace and their schedule permits.
Training Program
The app's most appealing feature is tracking running stats, training programs and being able to select a coach.
Location
A running location close to home, in nature, and without a sidewalk or road is most appealing to people.
5%
Finding a running partner
20%
Spontaneous
scheduling
12%
Finding partners with a compatible training program
15%
Finding partners with compatible running pace
11%
Do not want to pay for running in a group
Competitive landscape
I conducted research on alternative solutions that exist today:
running groups
Running once or twice a week with a professional coach. The group includes people who regularly run in the same location every week and occasionally participate in tournaments as a group
strengths
There is a commitment to the group and motivation to come every week. It also creates a new circle of friends.
weaknesses
There is no flexibility regarding the time and location, it costs money, the running pace of the group is heterogeneous, according to the coach's decision, and not tailored to a certain individual.
social media
Groups of “running clubs” on Facebook/WhatsApp that primarily revolve around running and related topics (e.g. nutrition, running shoes etc.). Members of the group frequently upload stats from their workouts to foster motivation, and also invite other members to join them for a run.
strengths
Such groups help maintain motivation to exercise and keep a proper diet.
weaknesses
The group is virtual and it often ends there, not leading to people meeting face to face.
apps
Some popular apps are:
-
NRC
-
Runkeeper
-
Strava
-
Endomondo
strengths
Such apps track stats, allow you to choose a training program, share achievements on social media as well as find groups that train in fixed locations and times.
weaknesses
There is no option to spontaneously join a running group that fits your running pace and at a time and place that is convenient to you.
challenges
My research showed that a lot of people who want to run have difficulty finding a compatible running partners.
Unaligned goals
It is not straightforward to find a running partner or group with fitness goals that align with yours.
Lack of spontaneity
Most people lack spontaneity, you should be able to run whenever you have a gap in your schedule - it should be a time and location that makes sense for YOU.
Incompatible pace
You want to get the most out of your workout but in order to do that you need running partners with comparable speed and fitness-level. Finding such partners is not so simple, especially over time.
Too expensive
Many options for finding compatible running partners involve having an ongoing subscription to a paid service, that’s not cheap.
Preliminary research
Architecture
social media
APP
Here are some of the app's key screens, presented in low fidelity.
The Product
1
Onboarding
When you open the app for the first time you are prompted to create a user with the appropriate details and set your pace (optimally, this would be your "personal best"). With your set pace, you can now join groups that match your goals and fitness level.
There are two options to set your pace: one is by syncing data from a different app and the other is to simply start running and have the app measure your pace.
sign up
set pace
sync with app
running
2
Finding a running group
You can select an existing group that fits your desired criteria (e.g. time and place, common interest, goal, running pace, duration, distance, with or w/out a coach etc.)
OR
You can create your own group and have others join in!
Select
or
create
3
Start running
When you’re a member of a group, and a group’s event is about to begin, you will receive a notification from the app. Upon clicking the notification you will then be presented with the "running screen". All that's left for you to do is click "RUN" and start running!
You can also set your preferences: music, voice guide, program, goal and more!
running
4
finish running
Once you've finish workout you will be presented with a summary, both for you individually as well as for the entire group. This summary includes things like a map of the run, total running time, distance, calories, average heart rate, average pace and more. In addition, you will be presented with an option to share your results on social media as well as upload relevant photos.
In the group tab you can add comments and see individual participants' results, new records, and more!
results
5
user profile
In the user profile screen you can see your personal details, photos, list and add "friends", running level by km and achievements, as well as filter group suggestions according your preferences and interests. An additional tab presents weekly and monthly stats.
profile
Stationery & Posters
merchandise
MERCHANDISE