Understanding GPX Files: Complete Guide

GPX files sit at the centre of most trail races, ultra marathons and outdoor events. They are the files runners load onto watches, phones and navigation devices so they can follow a route on event day.

For race organisers, understanding GPX files is useful because it helps prevent common route problems. A GPX file can look fine on one platform but behave differently on a Garmin watch, mapping app or event website.

This guide explains the main GPX concepts in plain English and links to the SummitGPX workflows that use them.

What a GPX file contains

A GPX file can contain several different types of data:

Tracks
Routes
Waypoints
Elevation data
Timestamps
Metadata
Software specific extensions

Most race route files are built around tracks.

<gpx version="1.1">
  <trk>
    <name>Example Race Route</name>
    <trkseg>
      <trkpt lat="50.123" lon="-5.123">
        <ele>124.3</ele>
      </trkpt>
    </trkseg>
  </trk>
</gpx>

Why this matters for race organisers

A GPX file is not just a download link. It can affect:

Whether runners can import the route
How accurate the route looks on a watch
Whether the elevation total looks realistic
Whether checkpoints and aid stations are visible
Whether runners use the latest version of the route

Good GPX management reduces confusion before race day.

Before publishing a route, use the GPX Health Check workflow to validate GPX files, detect route issues, check elevation data and repair common GPX problems. For the complete race setup process, see the Typical Organiser Workflow.

Key GPX topics

Start with these pages: