A GPS receiving apparatus includes a GPS receiving unit which detects a position, a course data storing unit which stores course data representing a course, along which plural transit positions are set, a motion sensor which detects motion of a user, a moving-distance obtaining unit which obtains a moving distance of the user based on the detected user's motion, a proximity judging unit which judges based on the obtained moving distance whether the user has come close to a next transit position along the course, a GPS start-up controlling unit which makes the GPS receiving unit start up, when the proximity judging unit determines that the user has come close to the next transit position, and a GPS stop controlling unit, which brings the GPS receiving unit down, when it is determined that the user has passed through the next transit position.