GUIDE · 4 MIN READ

Pace every metre of the course

gpx2pace turns a course file and a goal time into a segment-by-segment plan that eases your effort on the climbs and presses it on the descents — so you finish on target instead of blowing up or leaving time on the road. Here’s how it works and how to get the most out of it.

01 · OVERVIEW

How it works

Every plan starts from two inputs: a course file (GPX) and the finish time you’re chasing. gpx2pace reads the route, splits it into segments, and assigns each one a target pace. The whole flow takes under a minute.

01Create a raceName it, set a goal time, pick km or mi.
02Upload a GPXWe parse distance and elevation from the file.
03Get a graded planSegment paces that sum to your goal.
04Print the bandA wrist strip for race day.
02 · THE MODEL

The grade-adjusted model

Running up a hill at your flat pace costs far more energy than the clock suggests; running down gives some back. A flat average ignores this and sets you up to fade on the climbs. gpx2pace applies a cost-of-running curve to each segment’s gradient — easing the target where it’s steep uphill and pressing it where it’s downhill — while holding the total to your goal time.

FLAT AVERAGE
Same pace everywhere — you overspend uphill and coast downhill.
GRADE-ADJUSTED
Eased on climbs, pressed on descents — effort stays even.

The key guarantee: however the paces shift across terrain, every segment’s time still adds up to your goal — within a few seconds of rounding.

03 · INPUT

Preparing your GPX

gpx2pace reads a standard .gpx exported from any watch, phone app, or route planner. For the best plan, make sure the file has:

Recorded track pointsA real route line — not a single waypoint or address.
Elevation on the trackAltitude per point is what powers grade adjustment.
One continuous trackMulti-track files use the first track; laps should be one line.
Under 10 MBLarger files are downsampled before parsing.

No elevation in the file? You’ll still get a plan — gpx2pace falls back to a flat average and flags that grade adjustment is unavailable for that course.

04 · OUTPUT

Reading your plan

The plan view renders two views of the same parsed data. The elevation chart shades the profile by terrain; the segment table lists the numbers. Colour is consistent everywhere:

Climb — easedDescent — pressedFlat — goal pace
Gradient
Average % slope across the segment — drives the pace adjustment.
Elev ▲ / ▼
Metres climbed and descended within the segment.
Target pace
The pace to run that segment to stay on plan.
Split / Cumulative
Time for the segment, and elapsed time to that point.
05 · EXPORT

Printing a pace band

Open any plan and hit Print pace band. That route is print-optimised: a single horizontal strip of segment → target pace, sized to wrap around your wrist. Save it as a PDF or send it straight to a printer.

Cut along the dotted line and tape the ends into a loop, or slip the strip under your watch band so your splits are always in view.

06 · WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Troubleshooting

gpx2pace fails loudly, never silently. Each problem has a clear state and a way forward:

Unreadable GPXWhat happens: The file isn't valid GPX or has no track points.Fix: You'll see a file-error state on the new-race form — re-export the course and upload again.
No elevation dataWhat happens: The track parsed but has no altitude values.Fix: We build a flat plan and warn you that grade adjustment is off for that course.
Implausible goalWhat happens: The goal time isn't achievable for the distance.Fix: We flag it before generating a plan so you can set a realistic target instead of a nonsense one.
07 · FAQ

Frequently asked

Do I need a heart-rate strap or power meter?+

No. gpx2pace only needs the course GPX and your goal time — nothing worn or synced.

Which grade-adjustment model do you use?+

A published cost-of-running curve (Strava-GAP / Minetti style) applied per segment, tuned conservatively.

Can I plan by average pace instead of finish time?+

Enter a goal time as the primary input; the implied average pace updates live as you type.

Is my GPX shared or public?+

No. Files are private to your account — only you can see your races and plans.

Does the plan account for heat or weather?+

Not in v1. Plans are elevation and terrain based; adjust to conditions on the day at your own judgment.

Ready to plan your race?

Upload a GPX, set a goal, and get a grade-adjusted band in under a minute.

Create a race

Pacing and performance guidance only — not medical advice. Runners race in heat and on terrain at their own judgment.