Pocari Cross Run, a brand new and revolutionary running app, has just been released – to ignite some friendly competition amongst Singapore runners. At the same time, it is hoped that this app will make the running fun and interactive too.
Pocari Cross Run is a brand new, revolutionary running app.
Encourage more Singaporeans to take up running
Launched by Pocari Sweat Singapore, it is hoped that this free app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices, will encourage more tech-savvy Singaporeans to take up running and have a healthy and active lifestyle.
The app will make running in Singapore fun.
Allows users to achieve their running goals
Through app-generated, customised running courses, the app will allow users to achieve their running goals. Hydration points will also be included along running routes – in the form of 7-Eleven stores, where runners can purchase Pocari Sweat for rehydration – in exchange for points.
Said Pocari Sweat’s Singapore Country Manager, Puspita Winawati, “We are extremely excited to be incorporating the latest technology in the way that we interact with our customers and with the extensive network of the 7-Eleven stores here in Singapore, runners will have the flexibility of enjoying the Pocari Cross Run app wherever they want.”
Participation points awarded to runners
To generate further excitement, participation points will be awarded to runners through the app, when users pass by a 7-Eleven store during their run, complete a running course or make a Pocari Sweat purchase, by tapping on the Beacon devices at all 7-Eleven cashier counters. The longer the cumulative running distance, the more points a user will get.
This interactive experience though, is not only limited to running. App users can also play Bingo and earn tokens when they walk past a 7-Eleven store, on, for example, their way to or from work.
Backed by the latest Beacon technology
Backed by the latest Beacon technology, the Pocari Cross Run app employs the short-range wireless technology, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and will be the first and largest scale promotional series to use this system. The Beacon technology will be set up in all of the 7-Eleven stores island-wide – and this is set to take promotions and campaigns to a brand new level.
Set to take consumer marketing to a whole new interactive level
The app was designed by the Beacon system developers, Japan advertising agency, Asatsu-DK Singapore Pte Ltd, and the award-wining digital production company, AID-DCC Inc., and will take consumer marketing to a whole new interactive level – to connect businesses with customers at the point of sales.
I tested out the app – by taking it out on a short run.
Said Mr Takamasa Tokumo, Executive Director of Asatsu-DK Singapore Pte Ltd, “We chose 7-Eleven to roll out the Beacon technology because it is a recognized brand internationally, which constantly emphasises on excellent customer service delivery. We hope to leverage on its extensive network of more than 500 stores and create the next level of customer interaction experience both in-store and on-street.”
“With customers being more tech-savvy, we hope this new technology will create a revolutionary customer experience – one that is fun and interactive, yet meaningful and adds value to the consumer,” Mr Takamasa added.
Testing out the Pocari Cross Run app for myself
Curious about this new and revolutionary running app, I had wanted to find out more for myself. So I downloaded it onto my iPhone 5 and took it out for a short test run today at East Coast Park.
Lived up to its billing of being interactive
As soon as I had opened the app up, it was already picking up the beacon signals from 7-Eleven stores – and that was even before I had started my run. This was definitely the interactive aspect that the app had promised – and I thought that it had certainly lived up to its billing!
Now it’s time to play some Bingo!
In order to embark on my run, I was instructed to choose my starting and ending points, so that the app could generate a running route for me. Dutifully, I did so. But I’ll admit that I did not actually follow this to a tee – to see how the app would respond. It did well to track my running time, distance and calories in real time. However, I did notice that the computer-generated route appeared alongside my actual running route, throughout my run, probably to be used as a gauge.
Should bring a portable battery charger next time
However, even though I had initially planned a 10km run for myself with the app, I noticed one thing – the battery of my iPhone 5 was going very fast. So I had made a decision there and then – to stop the Pocari Cross Run app after 5.6km (The iPhone battery had gone down from 70% to 15% at this point).
Then I saved my run into the system – before I then continued on my run without the app. Next time I want to use the Pocari Cross Run app for tracking, I think I’ll bring a portable battery charger with me.
Making use of my Bingo tokens
Upon the completion of an 11km run, I used the tokens that I had gained from passing 7-Eleven stores, to play Bingo. So far, I have five hits on my Bingo card – and I can’t wait to continue playing this – and move up the leader-board to compete for prizes against other runners.
Definitely an interactive running app promising good, friendly competition
As a whole, this is definitely a very interactive running app. I must say that I have enjoyed my experience with it so far. I also definitely think that the friendly competition that it encourages will help more Singaporeans, who are curious about this app, to take up running more regularly.
Pocari Cross Run is free to download from the Apple iTunes Store and the Android Google Play Store.
What can you do with the Pocari Cross Run app?
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