Checkpoint planning for ultra marathons
Published
In an ultra marathon, checkpoints are more than dots on a course. They are where timing, cutoffs, nutrition, crew, equipment and race decisions come together. Track3D Checkpoint Plan brings those pieces into the Race Plan.
Plan arrivals and cutoffs
Each checkpoint can show its estimated arrival based on the current Race Plan. Official cutoff information can be stored alongside the estimate so the available timing margin is visible in the same place.
That makes the checkpoint list useful for more than navigation. It becomes a race operations view of how the plan is expected to unfold.
Include time spent at aid stations
Planned stop time can be assigned to checkpoints and included in the overall timing plan. This is important over long races because several small stops can become a significant part of the total finish time.
The plan can therefore distinguish between moving through the course and deliberately spending time at an aid station.
Keep race day information with the checkpoint
Checkpoint services and notes can sit beside timing information so relevant details are available where they are needed. That can include information used by the runner or crew when preparing for a checkpoint.
The result is a checkpoint plan designed to be used as part of race preparation, not simply a list of kilometre markers.