I tried the Maps feature, and for the first time, did a 4.6 mile run using the map (GPX File). However, it recorded the activity as “Other”. I updated the activity in Garmin to change it to a run, but it is not syncing with CityStrides? Will it, or is the Map Feature/GPX File loading broken?
I think we’re already talking about this in Reply Here If You Have Missing Activities - #1707 by JamesChevalier but just in case…
For the Maps feature, it sounds like you’re referring to exporting routes built via Route Builder as GPX files which can be loaded into certain devices for turn-by-turn instructions. I wasn’t aware of the presence of the GPX file causing any issue with how the activities are tracked. Perhaps someone that owns a Garmin device can chime in on any steps that can help ensure activities are always tracked as Run…
But yeah, CityStrides accepts running, walking, and hiking activities. There’s a different collection of types for each service - I try to be as broad as possible in the definitions, it’s not strictly a “Running and only Running” kind of thing.
When activities are saved in services (except Runkeeper) the service automatically/immediately alerts CityStrides of the new data. So, at the time of saving the data into Garmin as “Other” it immediately ships that info over to CityStrides & it’s ignored as an invalid type. My understanding was that there was some amount of time between stopping the activity and saving it into Garmin Connect where its category could be changed from ‘Other’.
I immediately changed it from Other to Run and it didn’t import. How do I make it import and do I really have to do this every single time? It is making the sponsor not as appealing. I should be able to force sync it when I am done changing the activity. Having to wait a day or two to sync doesn’t really work when trying to get as many streets as possible.
I don’t have a Garmin device to test with, so maybe someone who has one can chime in with extra details that I might not be aware of.
My understanding is that the activity categorization needs to happen before it’s uploaded to Garmin Connect. The moment it’s loaded into Garmin Connect, they alert of the new data. So if you’re changing the activity type after saving it into Garmin Connect, that change is happening after CityStrides hears about the “Other” activity type (and ignores it).
You can do this. There’s a single activity sync feature that’s in the Activity Trackers section of the Settings page. The caveat is that you can only request a day once (due to one of several Garmin’s limitations) so be sure that everything for that day is correct before submitting that request.
I’m not familiar with this limitation/issue. Can you share any details that caused you to think that you had to wait a day or two? Hopefully I haven’t confused things in the several threads we have open on this issue…
The problem is that as soon as the activity is complete, it automatically syncs to Garmin Connect, there is no way to edit it on the watch. And the Activity type in Garmin is set to run, but yet it always shows up as Other. And, I end up doing the force sync, but I shouldn’t have to do the Single Activity Sync every time I use a map function. What if I wanted to get some roads I might have missed in the area, without having to go back another day? Is there a way to sync “Other” to CityStrides and have it pull the roads?
Ah, ok, the documentation that I have must be written in a way that accounts for old devices. I didn’t know there was direct-from-watch upload capability.
Maybe one of these links can help:
- My Activity Type in Garmin Connect Is Different Than the Profile on My Watch | Garmin Support
- Run Shows as Other in Garmin Connect With the fēnix 3 Series | Garmin Support
- Activity type showing up as "other" and should be "running" - Garmin Connect Web - Mobile Apps & Web - Garmin Forums
Based on that info, it sounds like that first link might be most helpful. I’m fullly outside of the Garmin ecosystem, though, so I’m guessing as much as you are right now.
@nicholas.kollett I think you had our mural run route loaded into your Garmin on our group run. Have you had issues with the activity type being incorrect (saved as ‘Other’ instead of a run) with the Route Builder exports?
So, I created a Map with Garmin and uploaded it to the watch. When I was done, it also tracked as “Other” even though it was created as a run. I will reach out to Garmin Support to figure out why. But my other question to James is, can “Other” be imported into CityStrides and find the relevant streets and nodes?
Just to be clear, did you create the route (gpx file) from CityStrides route builder, or in Garmin app or Garmin Connect?
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I created it with Garmin Connect on the computer. Then synced the route to my Fenix 5 with the app on my phone.
Ok, I see. I can try doing the same thing on my next run
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Based on My Activity Type in Garmin Connect Is Different Than the Profile on My Watch | Garmin Support it seems like how the route is created matters. Again, I’m not in the Garmin ecosystem so I don’t know what that process looks like - it sounds like there’s some starting point that affects later use of the route. 
I don’t know what kind of havoc I’d have to deal with in bringing in “Other” as an activity type on CityStrides. I’m not prepared for that at this time.
When creating the route in Garmin, the first step is to select the Course Type - are you clicking “Running” here? (This is from connect.garmin.com desktop site)
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I selected running, created the route and uploaded it to my watch. It still tracked as Other. If you had a different result, please let me know how you created the map. Thanks
Not a problem about the Other activity. I am waiting for others to respond, but it seems like I am creating it correctly and Garmin doesn’t import it correctly. Even making it in Garmin, it is wrongly assigned.
However, both routes created on Garmin and on City strides had the same results, Other.
I had an issue last year where Trail Running activity didn’t get imported to CityStrides. If you take the activity after completion in Garmin you can change the activity type at the top left, there’s a drop-down menu, prior to import into CityStrides.
I had no problem with an exported RouteBuilder GPX file uploaded to Garmin Connect, to sync with my FR965 as a course.
I shared my success story here: Can a CityStrides Route be exported (to Garmin)?
I learned a new feature with my watch, thanks to the community. Create the map and export it. Then, select Run on the Watch, not Navigation. When selecting Run, push up for Options, and select the Course. This tracks it as a run!!! Thanks so much everyone.
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That’s a huge relief!! I was worried that this was going to block you from enjoying CityStrides.
Have fun out there!
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