No, unfortunately the in-game timer is pretty inaccurate. And the low% is playing the game without any upgrades. As in you can't spend points during your run. But any% just means you have to start a new game without any upgrades. You're allowed to upgrade during your run.

Ok, thanks

When monsters are first introduced and the serpent flies across the sky, is it technically going OoB if you scale the rocks instead of jumping passed the fire? Because it's not like going outside the map or above it or anything. I personally view it more like the puzzle room where you can use your blade to skip the entire course. I just want an official answer hopefully from a mod, thanks.