Track3D Guides
Ultramarathon guides
Practical guidance for planning, tracking and crewing an ultramarathon.
Track the runner
Understand your ultramarathon tracking options
Start with how ultramarathon tracking works, then explore Garmin Watch, inReach, SPOT and combined tracking setups for different race conditions.
Tracking explained
Ultramarathon Tracking Explained: GPS Watches, Phones, Satellite Trackers and PLBs
A practical guide to the differences between GPS, mobile-connected tracking, satellite communicators, PLBs and race timing, including coverage, update intervals, safety and the real cost of tracking an ultra.
Read the guide
Tracking guide
Using a SPOT Satellite Tracker for Ultramarathon Race Tracking
Learn how SPOT satellite tracking can keep sending runner locations beyond mobile coverage, how to connect a SPOT XML Feed to Track3D, and how those points become race progress, checkpoint ETA and cutoff context.
Read the guide
Tracking guide
Using a Garmin Watch for Ultramarathon Race Tracking
See how a compatible Garmin watch can keep the crew informed through the paired phone, what happens when mobile reception disappears, and where Track3D adds race context beyond LiveTrack.
Read the guide
Tracking guide
Using Garmin inReach for Ultramarathon Race Tracking
Understand satellite tracking beyond mobile coverage, what Garmin LiveTrack and MapShare provide, and how Track3D turns transmitted locations into race progress, Adaptive ETA and cutoff context.
Read the guide
Tracking guide
Using Garmin Course Points to Optimise Your Ultramarathon Strategy
Use Garmin Course Points to break a 100 mile race into one checkpoint at a time, keep distance, timing, cutoff context and checkpoint notes close at hand, and carry your Track3D Race Plan onto a compatible Garmin watch.
Read the guide
Tracking guide
Garmin Watch + inReach for Ultramarathon Race Tracking
Compare Watch only, inReach only and the combined setup. Learn how mobile-connected Watch observations and independent satellite points can contribute to one Track3D race picture.
Read the guidePlan the race
Build a better race plan.
Course planning, pacing, checkpoints, cutoffs and the decisions that are easier to make before the start.
Race planning
Planning Your Ultramarathon Aid Station Strategy
How much time do you really need at an aid station during an ultra? Plan realistic stops and understand how they affect moving time, cutoffs and the rest of your race.
Read the guide
Race planning
How to Plan Your Race Day for a 100K or 100 Mile Ultramarathon
A practical framework for planning your race day for a 100K or 100 mile ultramarathon, covering course, checkpoints, cutoffs, stop time, terrain, pacing strategy and execution.
Read the guideCrew the race
The gear is only part of the job.
Good crewing is knowing the runner, understanding the plan, making the practical work easy and being ready to adapt when the race stops following the script.
Crew guide
Ultra Marathon Crew Checklist
A practical operating checklist for race rules, checkpoint access, runner gear, food, parking, overnight logistics, electronics, the repeatable checkpoint routine and keeping the crew functioning.
Read the guideCrew guide
Never Quit in the Chair: Crewing an Ultra
A personal guide to the harder part of crewing: the conversation before race day, supporting an exhausted runner, knowing when they need reassurance or tough love, and adapting when the plan changes.
Read the guideBefore race day
Start with the Race Plan.
The tracking source tells Track3D where the runner is. The Race Plan provides the course, checkpoints, cutoffs, expected timing and crew context that make each observation useful.