10k run showed as 8.8km

[Runner81]

Hi guys, I’ve just done a 10k race which was well signposted with markers etc. The versa has flagged it as only 8.8km so the average pace is not correct and neither was the distance. Has anyone else had these issues with the Versa? 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, this is the result of an incorrect stride lenght. you can adjust that as follows:

In the dashboard of your Fitbit app, press the account icon on top of the screen on the right side. Scroll down to "Advanced settings" and press it. Scroll down to "Stride lenght". disable automaticallly seting and press stride lenght during running and adjust it so your 8.8 km will be 10 km. In your case the stride lenght shown must be mulitplied with 1.136 in order to get it to the 10K. Good luck!!

[LZeeW]

@Runner81   You mentioned pace, so I hope I am correct in saying you tracked this race as a Run, using GPS.  If so, then the measured distance comes from the GPS measured distance from your phone GPS sensors, not a steps x stride length measurement.  (As an aside, this is how the run stride length automatic adjustment works.)

If your GPS distance was measured as 8.8 km, then I think you should look at your map -- look to see if there are any significant measurement errors.  Did trees or buildings interfere with the GPS signal?  Another thing to keep in mind is that most smartphone GPS sensors are accurate to about a 16 ft radius (source).  All my maps have some error -- one of mine has me off the cliff in a ravine.

Sometimes there are Fitbit issues with GPS distances.  What type of phone do you use?  Also, could you do a few shorter, measured runs to see if it is your phone GPS sensor accuracy? 

Keep us informed.

[Runner81]

Thanks guys. I use a iPhone XS but left it at home for the race so solely used the Fitbit to track it. It never connected to the god so must of been going off stride alone which was down as auto. I’ll have another go later on a small run but wait for it to connect fully  first 

[LZeeW]

@Runner81   If you track a run (or walk) without GPS, you will get a steps x stride length for your distance.  Your 8.8 km distance suggests your running mechanics have a much shorter stride length than would be predicted for your height.

Manually measuring and setting your running stride length doesn't always take hills into account.  You should try the automatic adjustment.  From your app dashboard tap on Account > scroll down to Advanced Settings > Stride Length > toggle the Set Automatically to On.  Sync your Versa.  It will take several runs to settle itself out.  This feature is relatively new -- when features work well, we don't hear too much.  But if something is acting like a load of crap, we DO get, "Hey, Fitbit, that new thing is a load of crap!"  Haven't heard a peep about automatic stride length adjustment. 😉

Next, invest in a nice running belt that doesn't jiggle when you run and do GPS connected runs with your phone.

Another tidbit of information -- Fitbit's Cardio Fitness Score is an estimate of your V02max.  Your app reports it as a range, unless you do GPS connected runs.  You seem to be an avid runner/racer.  This information, along with training, might make you a faster runner/racer.