Methods and apparatus for virtual competition

Abstract

A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform the steps of:
 storing in the networked digitally readable medium a course map and information relating to that course map;   making the course map and information relating to that course map available to download;   providing a download data key for attachment to a course run file, where the key is activated for use by the participant who downloaded the download data key;   receiving from said system at least a portion of said performance information corresponding to a performance of the sporting activity together with the course run file, whereby the stored performance information is available for use by the participant of the sporting activity;   checking the course run file for encryption key stamped GPS encoded data representing the geographic position of the participant activity monitoring unit during performance of the sporting activity, and certifying the course run file as a result if that data is identified; and   comparing GPS data of the result to ensure that the participant traversed substantially the same course as defined by the course map.