Trail Race Cutoff Time Calculator
Enter your race distance, elevation gain, target pace, and the race's cutoff time to see your projected finish time and cutoff buffer.
About this calculator
Determine whether your projected pace will meet checkpoint and finish cutoff times for a trail race based on distance, elevation, and pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is elevation gain factored in?
This calculator adds extra time per 100ft of climbing based on your estimated elevation penalty, since climbing significantly slows pace compared to flat terrain.
What if my buffer is negative?
A negative buffer means your projected finish time exceeds the race cutoff, so you'd want to increase pace, reduce aid station time, or reconsider the race distance.
Does this account for descents?
Descents are not modeled separately; you can adjust your elevation penalty and flat pace inputs to roughly account for technical descents that also slow runners.