Many Mac OS X users have found a solution for tracking their long distance sports in TrailRunner. The latest version of the app (1.8.281) adds the ability to display recordings from iPhone 3G and iPod touch equipped with GPS functionality.

Developed by Berbie, TrailRunner is aimed at sports dealing with long distance traveling. Runners, bikers, hikers, inline-skaters, or skiers can use the free software to determine how long, or how effective their workouts are, and what routes work best for them. TrailRunner can also calculate a route for the desired distance and export directions onto their iPod. This way, users get a detailed orientation while keeping the workout going.

With the release of version 1.7, the app offered users the ability to display their collected workout data within the program, which matched the recordings with routes created by them. It analyzed the user's performance with its own tools.

The same version release added integration with nikeplus.com, the online community for the Nike SportBand, and the Apple Nike iPod Sport Kit running devices. Version 1.8.277 (Beta) delivered an Export as TCX command to export a list of routes and a new toolbar item that made the export directly accessible (for user convenience).

Version 1.8.281 (Beta) brings now stability fixes for the route calculation, improved localization for multiple languages, and lots of other enhancements. Best of all, TrailRunner can now display recordings from current iPhone 3G and iPod touch models equipped with a GPS.

Klaus from GPSies wrote a cool trick on his weblog, letting folks in on how to plan a route in Google Maps, and import the course into TrailRunner. To do so…

- Go to maps.google.com and use the Get Directions tab to plan your course.
- Click the “Link to this page” link.
- In the “Paste link in email or IM” edit field, append &output=kml at the end of the url (with no blank in between).

TrailRunner is a freeware app. The only requirements are a Mac running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later and your iPod.

Download TrailRunner 1.8.281 Beta / 1.6.238 (Free)