How to 3D Print Your Running Route
Turn kilometres into something you can hold in your hands.
A poster hangs on the wall. A 3D sculpture sits on your desk, your shelf, or your mantelpiece — a physical, tactile piece of the terrain you ran across. Waymarker generates STL files from real elevation data, creating a miniature landscape of your route. Upload to any 3D printing service or print on your own machine.
Paris 42K
Pontarlier Jura
Offa's Dyke
Step by Step
Import Your Route
Open waymarker.eu/create. Import from Strava, upload a GPX file, or select a famous route. Routes with significant elevation changes produce the most dramatic sculptures.
Tip: Mountain runs, trail races, and hilly road routes create the most visually striking 3D models. Flat routes work too, but the terrain relief will be subtle.
Switch to Sculpture Mode
Navigate to the 3D Sculpture tab. A real-time 3D preview of your route renders with actual terrain elevation data. The model updates as you make changes.
Choose Shape and Size
Select a rectangular or circular base. Choose your model size: 10cm, 15cm, or 20cm.
Tip: 15cm is a great default — large enough to show terrain detail, small enough for a desk or shelf.
Adjust the Terrain
Fine-tune the terrain look. Adjust elevation scale, smoothing, resolution, and maximum height. Set the route to raised or engraved.
Tip: For routes with extreme elevation (alpine trails), reduce the scale slightly so peaks do not dominate. For flatter routes, increase it.
Add Text (Optional)
Engrave a title and subtitle into the base. Add the route name, distance, date, or a personal message. Adjust text depth for legibility.
Tip: Keep text short and bold. Fine detail can be lost on smaller print sizes.
Export the STL File
Export the STL file — the industry-standard format for 3D printing, compatible with every printer and service.
What You'll Create
Choose from 11 unique map styles and 15+ colour palettes to design a poster that's truly yours.
Paris 42K
Pontarlier Jura
Offa's Dyke
Boston 42K
GR20
Toulouse Circuit
Pro Tips
Get the most out of your design
Print at Home
Use Cura, PrusaSlicer, or BambuStudio. PLA filament at 0.2mm layer height gives a good balance of detail and speed.
Use a Printing Service
Upload to Shapeways, Craftcloud, or a local bureau. Materials range from PLA to resin, wood-fill, and metal.
Two-Colour Printing
Print the base in one colour and the route in another using dual extrusion. The raised route style works well for this.
Post-Processing
Light sanding and matte spray paint gives a gallery-quality finish. White base with coloured route is a classic look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Route Exists in Three Dimensions. Now Your Art Can Too.
Real elevation data. Print-ready STL. From EUR 29.
Free to design · Poster downloads from €12 · No subscription
Waymarker is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any race organizers, event companies, or trademark holders. Route data is sourced from publicly available GPS information. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.