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Frequently Asked Questions
From Race Selection to Race-Ready in Minutes
CourseRecon turns course terrain into actionable readiness intelligence. Here's how.
Step 1: Choose Your Race
Browse the race catalog to find your event. We maintain a growing library of popular trail races, ultras, and mountain runs with pre-analysed course data — select your race and you're straight into analysis with no file upload needed.
Can't find your race? Upload a GPX or FIT file instead. Most race organisers publish course files on their event websites, or you can export from route-building tools.
Step 2: See What the Course Demands
Once your race is loaded, you'll see a detailed terrain breakdown showing:
- Elevation profile with every climb and descent mapped out
- Gradient breakdown — how much of the course is flat, rolling, steep, or extreme
- Surface types — road, gravel, single-track, technical terrain
- Crux sections — the hardest parts of the course where the race will be won or lost
This goes well beyond a basic elevation chart. You'll understand the true character of the course before you get to the start line.
Step 3: Connect Your Training Data
Connect your Strava account or upload FIT files from your device. We build a profile of your recent training — climbing volume, terrain experience, descending load, and more.
We never post to your accounts or share your data. You can disconnect at any time.
Step 4: Get Your Readiness Score
CourseRecon compares your training against the specific demands of your race. The readiness score tells you where you're well prepared, where the gaps are, and what matters most.
You'll see how your climbing, descending, terrain experience, and endurance stack up against what the course actually requires — not generic advice, but analysis specific to your race and your training.
Step 5: Focus Your Remaining Training
Your analysis includes:
- A readiness score with specific gap identification
- A segment-by-segment course breakdown with difficulty ratings
- Targeted guidance on what to prioritise in your remaining training time
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats do you accept?
GPX and FIT files. If your course file is in another format, most GPS tools can convert to GPX.
Where do I get a course file?
Start by checking the race catalog — your race may already be listed with pre-analysed terrain data. If not, most race organisers publish GPX files on their event websites. You can also export activities from Strava as GPX, or export the original file (usually a FIT file) from any activity page. You can also find courses on AllTrails or by searching "[race name] GPX download." If you can't find one, contact your race organiser — they almost always have one available.
Do I need a specific device or app?
No. CourseRecon works with Strava, Garmin Connect, or direct FIT file uploads. If you use Strava, you can connect in one click. For richer sensor data (power, cadence, temperature), connecting Garmin or uploading FIT files directly gives us more to work with. Wahoo, COROS, Suunto, and Polar devices all export FIT files.
How accurate is the surface type data?
Coverage is strong for popular trails, especially in well-mapped regions. Where surface data isn't available for a section, we'll flag it as unknown rather than guess.
Can I use CourseRecon for road races?
Yes, though the biggest value is for events with varied terrain — trail races, ultras, gravel rides, hilly road races. A flat road marathon has less terrain variability for us to analyse, but the gradient distribution and pacing insights are still useful.
What does the Single Race plan include?
A Single Race purchase gives you the full terrain breakdown, segment analysis, crux identification, and readiness scoring (if you've connected training data) for one specific course — valid for 12 months. The analysis is yours to keep and revisit indefinitely. See the Pricing page for the current price.
What does the Season Pass include?
Unlimited analyses on any number of courses for 12 months — worth it if you race more than twice a year or want to analyse training routes and course alternatives. See the Pricing page for the current price.
Can I get a refund?
Single Race: refundable within 7 days if you haven't accessed the full analysis. Season Pass: pro-rata refund within the first 30 days. See our Terms of Service for details.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and we never sell your data. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
What's the difference between connecting Strava vs uploading FIT files?
Both work well. Strava is the quickest — connect in one click and we pull your recent activity history. FIT file uploads give us the most complete data since FIT files contain everything your device recorded. You can use either or both.