Garmins new Race Course Planner - Everything you need to know

Garmin just rolled out their Q1 2026 software update, and one of the most exciting bits is Course Planner – a brand new feature that lets you plan race routes with cutoff times, rest breaks, checkpoints, and aid stations right in Garmin Connect that seems great for anyone into ultras or long endurance events.

What is Course Planner?

Course Planner is Garmin's new tool for building out detailed race routes with way more info than a standard GPX route. You set everything up in Garmin Connect – either through the mobile app or on your computer – and then sync it to your watch. The feature lets you add specific points along your route with stuff like cutoff times, planned rest breaks with a timer, checkpoints, aid stations, and your own notes.

Garmin Course planner is more of a logistics and pacing tool designed for ultra-distance events where keeping track of time at checkpoints is make-or-break for finishing. Ultra runners who currently carry a printed card with aid station distances and cutoff times might not need that anymore.

Screenshot from garmins course planner. Credit: Garmin

How to set it up

Setup happens in Garmin Connect, either via the mobile app or the browser. You can add points on the map, define how long a break should be, and set exact cutoff times for when you need to pass certain points. You can also add notes – like info about what's available at an aid station.

One important thing to note: if you import routes from Strava or other third-party services, you'll need to duplicate the route in Garmin Connect first before you can add Course Planner points. So you can't edit imported routes directly, but the duplication process is simple enough.

How does it work in action?

During the actual race, your watch gives you alerts based on the points you've set up. For example, you'll get a heads-up 10 minutes before a cutoff time expires. The watch then shows a dedicated screen with remaining distance to the point, estimated time, and the actual cutoff time. This gives you real-time info on whether you're on track to make the cutoff or if you need to pick up the pace.

When you arrive at a point with a planned rest break, a dedicated rest timer starts automatically on the watch. This is a small detail that means a ton when you're deep into race fatigue – you don't have to manually keep track of how long you've been sitting at an aid station.

Illustration from Garmins course planner on device. Image credit: Garmin

Compatible devices

As of February 2026, Course Planner is available on these Garmin watches:

• Garmin fēnix 8 / fēnix 8 Pro

• Garmin Enduro 3

• Garmin Tactix 8

• Garmin Forerunner 970

• Garmin Forerunner 570

So the feature is limited to Garmin's newest and most advanced watches running the new unified software platform. Unfortunately older models like the Forerunner 955 and 965, plus the fēnix 7 series, don't get this update – which has sparked quite a bit of discussion in the Garmin community.

Not for bike computers – yet

One thing that's bumming a lot of people out is that Course Planner isn't available on Garmin's Edge bike computers yet. That's kinda surprising considering long bike events with cutoff times and aid stations are at least as common as in ultra running. The feature would be perfect for brevets, audaxes, and other long-distance cycling events. Hopefully it's just a matter of time before it hits the Edge lineup too, but for now it's smartwatches only. I will try this out on my endurance cycling race this summer as well as test it out once the snow melts away i Trondheim, Norway.

Part of a bigger update

Course Planner is just one piece of Garmin's Q1 2026 update announced on February 24, 2026. The update also includes expanded gear tracking with a database of shoes and bike components, Sleep Alignment to see how well your sleep patterns match your circadian rhythm, Mixed Session for tracking multiple activities in one workout, Garmin Fitness Coach with personalized training plans, Varia voice alerts for cyclists, and Sports Scores so you can follow your favorite teams right from your wrist.

My take

I think Course Planner fills a gap that a lot of ultra runners and endurance athletes have been waiting on for ages. Being able to plan out an entire race route with cutoff times, aid stations, and planned breaks – and get all of that right on your watch with real-time alerts – is a seriously big step forward. It's exactly these kind of niche features that set Garmin apart from the competition. For me using my Enduro 3 as a bike computer, this is really exciting update and will be very intersting to see how it works in practice.

It's obviously a bummer that the feature is limited to the newest watches, and that Edge bike computers aren't included yet. But as an Enduro 3 user, it's great to see Garmin continuing to deliver solid functionality for the ultra segment. Looking forward to putting this through its paces when the next long-distance race comes around.

The updates are free and have started rolling out. You can update your watch by enabling automatic updates and syncing with Garmin Connect, or by using Garmin Express.

Sources: Garmin Newsroom, The5kRunner, DesFit