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Event Levels Explained
What they mean and how to use them.
Every Goodpace event has two independent scores: a Fitness Level and a Technical Level. They measure different things and both matter.
The fitness level is purely about physical output - how hard your body needs to work, regardless of the format. A brutal 50km single-day run and a tough two-day fastpacking trip might both sit at Level 4. What matters is the total demand on your body, not whether it is one day or two.
The technical level is about terrain, equipment, exposure, and mountain judgement. It has nothing to do with distance or duration. A short but highly exposed day traverse can be Level 5. A 50km trail run on well-marked paths might be Level 1.
Always read both scores together. If you are unsure where you sit, get in touch before applying.
Fitness Level
Distance, elevation, duration, and sustained effort — what your body needs to handle, not what format the event takes. A single day and a multi-day event can share the same fitness level if the total physical demand is similar.
You enjoy walking and occasional light jogging. You are comfortable on your feet for a couple of hours without needing to stop frequently. You do not need to be a runner to join events at this level. Short distances and minimal elevation gain.
What this looks like: A relaxed outing on easy terrain. Under 10km, under 500m of elevation. Plenty of time to take in the surroundings.
Benchmark: Comfortable walking or light jogging for a couple of hours with a light daypack.
You run regularly on roads or flat trails, or hike often, but may be relatively new to sustained elevation gain. You are comfortable moving for a half day and can handle moderate climbing without it derailing your day. A good fit for road runners or regular hikers making their first proper step into mountain terrain.
What this looks like: A half to full day event with moderate climbing and descending. You will finish tired but not broken.
Benchmark: Comfortable running or hiking for a half day with 500-1,000m of elevation gain. Some trail or mountain experience helpful.
You trail run regularly and are comfortable with significant elevation on mountain terrain. You can sustain effort over a full mountain day and recover well. You may have run a road marathon or done long mountain days, but you are not yet at ultra-distance level.
What this looks like: A full day event with substantial elevation and a sustained trail running pace. You have done big mountain days before.
Benchmark: Comfortable running for 20-30km with 1,000-1,500m of elevation gain on mountain terrain.
You are an experienced trail or mountain runner. Long days in the mountains are normal, and you have an ultra background or equivalent high-volume mountain experience. This level covers very big single days - marathon distance and beyond with significant elevation - as well as multi-day fastpacking trips where each day is a solid individual effort. You can carry a pack all day and recover overnight to go again.
What this looks like: Very big single days or multi-day fastpacking trips where each day is individually demanding.
Benchmark: Comfortable running 30km+ days with 1,500-2,500m of elevation gain. Ultra background or equivalent mountain experience. Can repeat with a full pack the following day.
The highest physical demand on the Goodpace calendar. This covers either a genuinely huge single day - 50km+ with major cumulative elevation - or multi-day traverses where each individual day is itself a Level 4 effort. You are a strong endurance athlete. You have done ultras or the equivalent in mountain output. You know how to fuel, manage your body, and keep moving when everything is telling you to stop.
What this looks like: The biggest output on the calendar. Either a monster single day (50km+, 2,500m+) or a multi-day traverse where the days are individually massive.
Benchmark: Comfortable with 50km+ days or consecutive very big mountain days. Ultra race or equivalent high-volume mountain experience essential.
Technical Level
Terrain, exposure, navigation, equipment, and mountain judgement. This scale is independent of distance and duration — a short but highly exposed day traverse can be Level 5, while a 50km run on well-marked paths can be Level 1. Read this carefully — misjudging your technical level has more serious consequences than misjudging fitness.
Well-marked trails with no exposure, no scrambling, and no overnight element. The terrain is non-technical and easy to follow. Suitable for anyone who is physically ready.
What this looks like: Forest or ridge trails with clear signage, no steep drops, no sections requiring hands.
Benchmark: No mountain experience required. Comfortable walking on trails.
Mostly non-technical trails with some uneven or rocky ground and occasional steeper sections. No significant exposure and no chains or scrambling. The terrain is largely manageable but requires some attention underfoot. No overnight element. A basic comfort level on mountain terrain is helpful but not essential.
What this looks like: Open ridgelines or forested mountain trails with some rocky or steep sections. Footing requires attention but nothing technical.
Benchmark: Some experience on mountain trails. Comfortable moving on uneven ground at pace.
Technical trails with steeper sections, possible short scrambles, and some exposure in places. You should be comfortable moving at pace on uneven mountain terrain and confident making basic decisions about conditions and your own limits. No overnight element typically, but early starts and long days are common.
What this looks like: Sustained ridge running with rocky sections and some exposure. Experience on Japanese mountain terrain is helpful.
Benchmark: Regular trail running on mountain terrain. Comfortable on steep, uneven ground at pace.
Exposed ridgelines, scrambling, chains, and ladders on terrain where a slip has real consequences. This level does not always involve an overnight element - a highly technical single-day traverse can sit here. You should be comfortable on exposed mountain terrain, able to navigate using GPS or a map app such as YAMAP, and confident making your own decisions about when to push on and when to turn back. Equipment awareness matters - know what you are carrying and why.
What this looks like: Technical ridgelines with chains, scrambling, and exposed sections above 2,000m. Could be a single day or multi-day. Navigation and route awareness are expected, not optional.
Benchmark: Solid experience on technical alpine terrain with chains and scrambling. Capable of self-navigation on mountain routes. Comfortable managing risk on exposed terrain.
The most technically demanding terrain on the Goodpace calendar. Sustained knife-edge ridgelines, Japan's famous kiretto sections, and highly exposed traverses requiring sound mountain judgement and genuine self-sufficiency. This can be a single day or multi-day - what defines Level 5 is the severity and commitment of the terrain, not the duration. A helmet is mandatory due to rockfall risk on exposed sections. No ropes or climbing gear are required - this is scrambling and kiretto terrain, not technical climbing - but you must be fully comfortable in highly exposed environments where retreat is not always possible once committed. Decision making and knowing your limits are as important as physical ability.
What this looks like: Japan's most serious ridgelines and kiretto sections. Chains, vertical drops, and highly exposed traverses. Could be a single demanding day traverse or a multi-day route.
Benchmark: Significant experience on exposed alpine terrain. Comfortable on knife-edge ridgelines with serious consequence. Helmet mandatory. Sound mountain judgement essential.
Look honestly at both scores for the event you are interested in and ask yourself whether you have done something comparable before. If your fitness is there but your technical experience is not, the right move is to join a lower technical level event first and build towards it.
If you are on the fence, start one level below where you think you are. The mountain will still be there.
Message us if you have any questions. We are happy to help you find the right fit.
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