Platform Comparison
Built for running, athletics, and triathlon. Not everything.
General sports apps are built for team sports. connectMyClub is built specifically for endurance sport clubs — and the difference shows in every feature.
This comparison is based on publicly available information and our knowledge of other platforms as of June 2026
The right tool for the right sport
General club apps like Spond do a good job of scheduling sessions and sending messages. But running, athletics, and triathlon clubs have needs that go far beyond that — performance tracking, route management, race timing, wearable integration, and safety features that team sports platforms were never designed to provide.
Training & Safety
| Feature | connectMyClub | General apps |
|---|---|---|
| Training session sign-upMembers tap in to sessions from the app | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| LiveMap — real-time location sharingGroup leaders see where every member is during a session | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| ICE details — In Case of EmergencyRequired before training, callable at one press by group leaders | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Medical notesAccessible to group leaders during a session | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Training accident and incident reportsInsurance-ready reports with photos, what3words location, and automatic weather data | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| PAR-Q health questionnairePre-participation screening configurable by the club | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Training wallet and subscriptionsMembers pre-load credit for paid sessions or set up a direct debit | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| GPX route libraryClub training routes stored, viewable on map, and syncable to Garmin | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Garmin Connect workout creatorStructured interval sessions synced directly to members' Garmin watches | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Training attendance reportsWith trend analysis and CSV export for committee reports and grant applications | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Basic |
| Junior messaging disabled by defaultSafe is the default — clubs must explicitly enable messaging for juniors | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Partial |
Performance & Results
| Feature | connectMyClub | General apps |
|---|---|---|
| Personal bests and season's bestsTracked per member, visible in the club portal and app | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Club recordsMaintained by category, e.g. Male marathon record, Female over-55 10k | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Race timing systemBuilt-in QR code timing based on the parkrun model | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Handicap race calculatorGenerates handicapped start times from members' previous results | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Strava and Garmin race time syncFinish times captured automatically when members complete a race | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Race league tablesAutomatically generated club standings and race league management | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Pace calculatorMembers enter their race pace to generate predicted finish times for all distances | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| PB congratulations emailsAutomatic personalised emails sent to members when they set a new personal best | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Wearable Integration
| Feature | connectMyClub | General apps |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Watch companion appTraining sessions, QR code, parkrun barcode, LiveMap, and club badge on your wrist | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Apple Watch companion appSame key features available on Apple Watch | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Garmin route syncOne tap syncs a club training route directly to a member's Garmin watch | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| parkrun barcode on watchAvailable on both Garmin and Apple Watch companion apps | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Safety & Safeguarding
| Feature | connectMyClub | General apps |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveSafe — anonymous harassment reportingMembers report public sexual harassment anonymously, shared with local clubs | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| what3words integrationPrecise location on every training session meetup and incident report | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Automatic weather data on incident reportsWeather conditions retrieved automatically at the time and location of an incident | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Digital disclaimer signingIncluding automatic integration of UK Athletics and British Triathlon codes of conduct | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Non-training incident reportsFor incidents at club events, BBQs, and non-training activities | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Club Management & Communications
| Feature | connectMyClub | General apps |
|---|---|---|
| Membership managementIndividual or bulk upload, renewal periods, and digital membership cards | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Push notifications and announcementsTargeted to specific comms groups or all members | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Automated weekly newsletterWith separate junior and senior versions, and toggle-based content control | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Club website builderFree website powered by connectMyClub — content entered once appears everywhere | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Paid add-on |
| Club shop, special orders, and rentalsKit sales, pre-order kit campaigns, and equipment rental booking with payments | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Basic payments |
| In-app surveys and pollsWith public URL for non-app members to participate | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Basic |
| Volunteer managementSet up event roles for members to sign up to | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Team event sign-upFor cross country and other events where clubs need squad availability | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Basic RSVP |
| parkrun integrationMember parkrun barcodes stored in-app and on watch apps, with global parkrun directory | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| My 2026 engagement featureGamified club engagement with optional entry fee — automated from member data | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Switch users for family accountsParents manage multiple profiles from a single login | ✓ Yes | ⚬ Partial |
| 2FA on club portalTwo-factor authentication for club admins | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Features you won't find anywhere else
Built specifically for endurance sport clubs, by endurance sport club members.
LiveMap
Unique
Real-time location sharing during training sessions. Group leaders see where every member is — invaluable for long runs, trail sessions, and interval workouts across a large area.
Garmin and Apple Watch Apps
Unique
Native companion apps for Garmin and Apple Watch. Check into training, view your club badge, access your parkrun barcode, and share your live location — all from your wrist.
ActiveSafe
Unique
Anonymous harassment reporting for members training in public spaces. Developed in partnership with Our Streets Now. Incident maps shared with local clubs to raise community awareness.
Built-in Race Timing
Unique
A complete QR code timing system based on the parkrun model. Run your own club races and handicap events without needing separate timing software or equipment.
Handicap Race Calculator
Unique
Automatically generates handicapped start times from members' previous race results. A feature that running clubs have wanted digitally for years — and connectMyClub delivers.
Automatic Incident Weather Data
Unique
When a training incident is reported, connectMyClub automatically retrieves the weather conditions for that precise time, date, and location. Everything your insurer needs, captured instantly.
Exceptional value for what you get
connectMyClub costs £1 per member per year — less than the cost of a bottle energy drink per member, for a platform that replaces tools costing many times more. General apps may be free, but connectMyClub gives running, athletics, and triathlon clubs features that simply don't exist elsewhere.
connectMyClub
£1 / member / year
Plus 0.9% platform fee on payments processed
- Full feature access — everything included
- Garmin and Apple Watch companion apps
- LiveMap real-time location sharing
- Race timing system included
- ActiveSafe harassment reporting
- Free club website
- Personal onboarding and support
- Built for running, athletics, and triathlon
General club apps
Free
Payment processing and website features charged separately
- Session scheduling and RSVP
- Group messaging
- Basic member management
- Basic payments
- Built for all sports — specialised in none
See the difference for yourself
Start a free one-month trial. Includes an optional personal demo with our founder.