Downloading the GPX file and loading it onto your GPS watch is one of the easiest ways to remove uncertainty on race day. Instead of constantly second-guessing where the next turn, beach exit, or headland sits, you can see the course unfolding in front of you in real time. That mental clarity matters — especially late in the race when fatigue makes even simple decisions feel harder than they should.

One of the biggest advantages is course alerts. Most GPS watches will notify you if you drift off the planned route, which is invaluable along long coastal runs, beach sections, or swim exits where lines aren’t always obvious. A quick buzz on the wrist can save you from adding unnecessary distance, backtracking, or losing time looking for the correct path.

Using the GPX also helps with pacing. Seeing your progress along the course — not just total distance — makes it easier to manage effort through longer legs and mentally break the race into manageable chunks. Instead of thinking “I’ve still got ages to go,” you know exactly where you are relative to key checkpoints and turnarounds.

Finally, there’s the confidence factor. When you know the route is locked into your watch, you can focus on moving efficiently rather than navigating. Less stress, fewer mistakes, and more energy saved for when it really counts — which, in a SwimRun, is usually right when the watch starts buzzing to tell you you’re almost there.