Terms of Service

Effective Date: 10 April 2026  ·  Last Updated: 10 April 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the Run Mad Maps platform ("RMM," "the Platform," "we," "our," or "us"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Valken de Villiers, the sole proprietor of Run Mad Maps, a South African business. These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or use the Platform. By creating an account, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age and that you have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement.

3. Your Account

3.1 Account Creation

You may create an account by providing your first name and email address, or by connecting a Strava or Garmin account via OAuth. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials.

3.2 Account Accuracy

You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it up to date. You may not create an account using a false identity or impersonate another person.

3.3 Account Termination by You

You may delete your account at any time. Upon deletion, all your personal data and activity history will be permanently removed within 30 days as described in our Privacy Policy. Leaderboard entries from official events will be anonymised rather than deleted.

3.4 Account Suspension or Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, the Acceptable Use Policy, or engage in conduct that threatens the integrity of the Platform. We will notify you of any such action and provide a reason.

4. The Platform and Services

4.1 What RMM Provides

RMM provides trail intelligence services for the Cape Peninsula, including an interactive trail map, a proprietary route grading system, a Runner Performance Score (RPS), Race Readiness assessments, event management with GPS-verified leaderboards, and related features.

4.2 Service Availability

We aim to keep the Platform available at all times but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may temporarily suspend access for maintenance, updates, or circumstances beyond our control. We are not liable for any losses arising from service interruptions.

4.3 Scoring Accuracy

RMM's scoring, grading, and readiness assessments are generated by proprietary algorithms processing GPS data. While we strive for accuracy, these scores are informational tools, not guarantees of athletic performance or safety. You acknowledge that scores may contain inaccuracies due to GPS signal quality, device limitations, or environmental factors.

5. Subscriptions and Payments

5.1 Free and Paid Tiers

RMM may offer both free and paid subscription tiers. Paid subscriptions unlock additional features as described on the Platform at the time of purchase.

5.2 Pricing

Subscription prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR). We reserve the right to change pricing with 30 days' notice. Price changes do not affect active subscription periods already paid for.

5.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not store your credit card details. You agree to Stripe's terms of service when making a payment through the Platform.

5.4 Refunds

Subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by South African consumer protection law. Event entry fees are non-refundable once the event window has opened, except in cases of event cancellation by RMM.

6. Events

6.1 GPS-Verified Events

RMM organises timed trail events where results are validated against GPS activity data. By entering an event, you agree that your GPS activity data will be processed and your results may appear on public leaderboards.

6.2 Anti-Gaming

All event activities are subject to automated anti-gaming validation (including but not limited to GPS mismatch detection, speed anomaly detection, fabricated GPS detection, and split activity detection). Activities flagged by these systems may be excluded from leaderboards. Flagged activities classified as "review" severity will be manually reviewed before any penalty is applied.

6.3 Disputes

If you believe your event result has been incorrectly scored, flagged, or excluded, you may contact us at valkenrunningmad@gmail.com. We will review the underlying data and provide a transparent explanation. Our decision on disputes is final.

7. Assumption of Risk — Trail Running and Outdoor Activities

THIS SECTION IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

Trail running, hiking, and outdoor activities on the Cape Peninsula involve inherent risks including but not limited to falls, injuries, extreme weather, wildlife encounters, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and medical emergencies. The Cape Peninsula includes remote terrain where emergency services may be delayed.

By using the Platform and participating in RMM events, you acknowledge and accept the following:

1. You participate in all trail activities entirely at your own risk.
2. RMM provides route grades, difficulty scores, and readiness assessments as informational tools only. A "Ready" verdict from the Race Readiness Engine does not guarantee your safety on any route.
3. RMM does not provide medical advice. You are solely responsible for assessing your own fitness and health before undertaking any trail activity.
4. RMM does not control trail conditions, weather, wildlife, or access. Trail conditions may change without notice.
5. RMM is not responsible for the accuracy of trail maps, route lines, or GPS coordinates on the Platform. Always carry a backup navigation method.
6. You are responsible for carrying adequate water, nutrition, and safety equipment for any trail activity.

To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, you release RMM, its founder, and its agents from all liability for any injury, death, loss, or damage arising from your participation in trail activities or RMM events, except where such liability arises from our gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Intellectual Property

The following are the exclusive intellectual property of Valken de Villiers and Run Mad Maps:

• The Run Mad Maps name, logo, and brand identity
• All proprietary scoring, grading, and assessment systems, including but not limited to: the GPS Stream Processor, the Route Grading System (V3), the Runner Performance Score (RPS), and the Race Readiness Engine
• All formula weights, values, thresholds, benchmark ceilings, and calibration parameters used in these systems
• The Terrain Brutality Score (TBS), Terrain Difficulty Score (TDS), Elevation Density bands, and all derived metrics
• All source code, algorithms, and system architecture
• All route descriptions, map designs, and content created for the Platform
• The anti-gaming detection system and its ten validation flags

8.2 Trade Secret Status

The formula systems described in Section 8.1, including all weights, values, thresholds, and calibration parameters, are trade secrets under South African common law. RMM takes active measures to maintain the secrecy of these systems, including storing all values in secure environment variables, never exposing formula parameters through the Platform or API, and restricting access to formula documentation.

8.3 Prohibited Activities Regarding Our Intellectual Property

You may NOT, under any circumstances:

1. Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, algorithms, formulas, weights, thresholds, or logic underlying any RMM scoring, grading, or assessment system.
2. Attempt to reconstruct, approximate, or replicate any RMM formula system through analysis of its outputs, systematic input testing, or any other method.
3. Scrape, harvest, or systematically collect data from the Platform for the purpose of building a competing product or service.
4. Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to access the Platform except through our published API (when available) and in accordance with its terms.
5. Copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any RMM content, map designs, route descriptions, or branding without our express written permission.
6. Remove, obscure, or alter any proprietary notices, trademarks, or attribution on the Platform.
7. Use RMM data, scores, grades, or outputs to build, train, or improve a competing product or service.
8. Redistribute, sublicense, or commercially exploit any RMM data or outputs without our express written consent.

Violation of this section constitutes a material breach of these Terms and may result in immediate account termination, legal action for damages, and an application for injunctive relief.

8.4 Your Content

You retain ownership of your GPS activity data and any content you upload. By using the Platform, you grant RMM a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to process your activity data for the purpose of providing our services (scoring, grading, readiness assessment, leaderboard placement). This licence terminates when you delete your account.

You may export your own scores and grades for personal use at any time through the Platform.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by South African law:

1. RMM is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied.
2. We do not warrant that the Platform will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free of harmful components.
3. We do not warrant the accuracy of GPS data processing, scores, grades, or readiness assessments.
4. Our total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Platform is limited to the amount you have paid to RMM in the 12 months preceding the claim, or R500, whichever is greater.
5. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of data, loss of profit, or personal injury, except where such injury results from our gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Valken de Villiers and Run Mad Maps from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your participation in events, your violation of these Terms, or your infringement of any third-party rights.

11. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

12.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Western Cape Division, Cape Town.

12.3 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceedings, you agree to first contact us at valkenrunningmad@gmail.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally within 30 days.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RMM regarding your use of the Platform.

16. Contact

Email: valkenrunningmad@gmail.com
Platform: runmadmaps.com