Quick answer
Speed climbing is a race on standardized parallel routes. Athletes are secured from above, and the fastest valid climber to activate the top timing pad wins.
The basic idea
Speed is a competition-climbing discipline built around time. The standardized route allows athletes to memorize movement and compare performances.
The wall and route
International competition uses a 15-metre wall with identical parallel routes.
How a race works
Competitors start in adjacent lanes and stop the clock by activating the finish pad.
Source note: Rules, formats, specifications and records can change. Verify competition decisions against current World Climbing and national-federation documents.