Tools - EN

Checkpoint Strategy Generator + Cut-off Calculator

Plan your race pacing checkpoint by checkpoint and see if you will make the cutoffs.

Set your target finish time and this tool will calculate your expected arrival at every checkpoint, show how much buffer you have before each cutoff closes, and flag the critical points where your plan is tight.

Start by choosing your target time with the slider below. The table updates instantly. Look at the Buffer column – green means you are comfortable, amber means it is tight, red means you would miss the cutoff at this pace. Adjust the target time until your plan looks realistic.

The positive split slider models the natural slowdown that happens in the second half of an ultra. A value of 10–20% is typical for mountain races – it means your second half will be that much slower than the first. This is normal and expected.

Race plan settings

Set your target time, start time, and pacing strategy. The table below updates instantly.

Route

Target time

HoursMinutes

12h 30min

Start time

Pacing fade

Most ultra runners slow down in the second half. This slider models that natural fade – 10–20% is typical for mountain ultras.

Distance

164 km

Elevation gain

8,302 m

Time limit

36 h

Checkpoints: 12

Cut-off risk

Minimum buffer: +1h 51min
Average buffer: +13h 14min
Worst checkpoint: V1 - Partnachklamm

Overall average pace: 4:34/km
First half pace: 4:34/km
Second half pace: 4:34/km
Finish buffer: +23h 30min

These paces include hiking, aid stops, and rest. This is not pure running pace.

Checkpoint overview

Hover or tap markers to inspect checkpoint risk. Click to jump to row.

Checkpoint table

Safe buffer (>1h)Warning (<1h buffer)Cut-off exceeded

How to read this table

The Buffer column is the most important – it shows how much time you have in hand before the cutoff closes at each checkpoint.
Green = comfortable (over 1 hour buffer). Amber = tight (under 1 hour). Red = you would miss the cutoff at this pace.
Min pace shows the slowest pace allowed from that point to still finish before the final cutoff.

Sort by

Checkpoint	km	D+ (m)	Elapsed				Avg pace	Min pace*
Start Garmisch-Partenkirchen	0	0	-	START	-	-	-	-
V1 - Partnachklamm	8.5	850	0h 38min	20:38(Thu)	22:30 (Thu)	+1h 51min	4:34/km	13:38/km
V2 - Schachen	22	1,650	1h 40min	21:40(Thu)	01:30 (Fri)	+3h 49min	4:34/km	14:30/km
V3 - Biberwier (Dropbag) Dropbag	38	2,400	2h 53min	22:53(Thu)	05:00 (Fri)	+6h 06min	4:34/km	15:46/km
V3 - Pestkapelle	48	3,100	3h 39min	23:39(Thu)	07:30 (Fri)	+7h 50min	4:34/km	16:44/km
V4 - Ehrwald	58	3,600	4h 25min	00:25(Fri)	10:00 (Fri)	+9h 35min	4:34/km	17:53/km
V5 - Tillfussalm (Triage) Triage	72	4,400	5h 29min	01:29(Fri)	13:30 (Fri)	+12h 01min	4:34/km	19:54/km
V6 - Leutasch	86	5,200	6h 33min	02:33(Fri)	17:00 (Fri)	+14h 27min	4:34/km	22:39/km
V7 - Schloss Elmau (Dropbag) Dropbag	102	5,900	7h 46min	03:46(Fri)	21:00 (Fri)	+17h 14min	4:34/km	27:19/km
V8 - Mittenwald (Triage) Triage	118	6,500	8h 59min	04:59(Fri)	00:00 (Sat)	+19h 00min	4:34/km	35:14/km
V9 - Osterfelder	132	7,400	10h 03min	06:03(Fri)	03:00 (Sat)	+20h 56min	4:34/km	48:38/km
V10 - Kreuzeck	145	7,900	11h 03min	07:03(Fri)	05:30 (Sat)	+22h 27min	4:34/km	78:47/km
Meta Garmisch-Partenkirchen	164	8,302	12h 29min	08:30(Fri)	08:00 (Sat)	+23h 30min	4:34/km	-

* Min pace = minimal pace required from this point to finish before the final cut-off.

Race info and coaching notes

ZUT100 - Zugspitz Ultra Trail: 164 km, 8,302 m D+, start Thu 20:00.
Cut-offs in this tool come from the selected route profile data. Always verify against the latest organizer race guide.
A positive split of 10–20% is normal for long mountain ultras – plan for the slowdown rather than fighting it.
If a checkpoint shows amber, look for time gains elsewhere: faster aid station transitions, less hiking on runnable flats, or better nutrition strategy.
Your tightest cutoff point is the critical one. If you make that checkpoint, you will likely make the rest.
Reaching a checkpoint just before it closes means you are in survival mode, not racing. Build buffers early when you are fresh.

Data source: zugspitz.utmb.world

Training plans

Train to hit every checkpoint with margin

Cutoff math shows the pace you need. A personalized plan builds the endurance to hold it when it counts.

Build your plan

Free preview included

Recommended gear

GPS Watch with Barometer

Real-time pace, elevation, and navigation for trail pacing decisions.

View on Amazon→

Trail Headlamp

Wide beam, long battery life, and red mode for night sections.

View on Petzl→

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Purchasing through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.

ToolRun/Walk StrategyCalculate walking cost and set an energy-smart rhythm.ToolGAP CalculatorConvert trail pace into a flat-ground effort equivalent (Minetti 2002).ArticleFAQ: Getting Started in Trail Running and Ultras31 quick answers for your first trail and mountain races: distances, training, gear, fueling, race-day problems, and the realities of trail racing.ArticleZugspitz Ultratrail: what you need to know before the startCourse overview, night-start dynamics, fueling, mandatory kit and the mistakes that cost the most time on the 107 km Zugspitz Ultratrail.Download

Checkpoint

D+ (m)

Elapsed

Avg pace

Min pace*

Start Garmisch-Partenkirchen

START

V1 - Partnachklamm

8.5

850

0h 38min

20:38(Thu)

22:30 (Thu)

+1h 51min

4:34/km

13:38/km

V2 - Schachen

1,650

1h 40min

21:40(Thu)

01:30 (Fri)

+3h 49min

4:34/km

14:30/km

V3 - Biberwier (Dropbag)

Dropbag

2,400

2h 53min

22:53(Thu)

05:00 (Fri)

+6h 06min

4:34/km

15:46/km

V3 - Pestkapelle

3,100

3h 39min

23:39(Thu)

07:30 (Fri)

+7h 50min

4:34/km

16:44/km

V4 - Ehrwald

3,600

4h 25min

00:25(Fri)

10:00 (Fri)

+9h 35min

4:34/km

17:53/km

V5 - Tillfussalm (Triage)

Triage

4,400

5h 29min

01:29(Fri)

13:30 (Fri)

+12h 01min

4:34/km

19:54/km

V6 - Leutasch

5,200

6h 33min

02:33(Fri)

17:00 (Fri)

+14h 27min

4:34/km

22:39/km

V7 - Schloss Elmau (Dropbag)

Dropbag

102

5,900

7h 46min

03:46(Fri)

21:00 (Fri)

+17h 14min

4:34/km

27:19/km

V8 - Mittenwald (Triage)

Triage

118

6,500

8h 59min

04:59(Fri)

00:00 (Sat)

+19h 00min

4:34/km

35:14/km

V9 - Osterfelder

132

7,400

10h 03min

06:03(Fri)

03:00 (Sat)

+20h 56min

4:34/km

48:38/km

V10 - Kreuzeck

145

7,900

11h 03min

07:03(Fri)

05:30 (Sat)

+22h 27min

4:34/km

78:47/km

Meta Garmisch-Partenkirchen

164

8,302

12h 29min

08:30(Fri)

08:00 (Sat)

+23h 30min

4:34/km

Race info and coaching notes

ZUT100 - Zugspitz Ultra Trail: 164 km, 8,302 m D+, start Thu 20:00.

Cut-offs in this tool come from the selected route profile data. Always verify against the latest organizer race guide.

A positive split of 10–20% is normal for long mountain ultras – plan for the slowdown rather than fighting it.

If a checkpoint shows amber, look for time gains elsewhere: faster aid station transitions, less hiking on runnable flats, or better nutrition strategy.

Your tightest cutoff point is the critical one. If you make that checkpoint, you will likely make the rest.

Reaching a checkpoint just before it closes means you are in survival mode, not racing. Build buffers early when you are fresh.

Race plan settings

Checkpoint overview

Checkpoint table

How to read this table

Race info and coaching notes

Train to hit every checkpoint with margin

GPS Watch with Barometer

Trail Headlamp

Race plan settings

Checkpoint overview

Checkpoint table

How to read this table

Race info and coaching notes

Train to hit every checkpoint with margin

GPS Watch with Barometer

Trail Headlamp

Science-backed notes on training, recovery, and racing smarter in the mountains