PROPOSAL - NEW GAME MODE
For certain cases (like this one), the level will be considered complete (with points awarded) if you reach the mean step count of all players who touched the exit.
Example:
I spent 1,903 steps to reach the exit. If a second player does it in 1,501 steps, the average becomes (1,903 + 1,501) / 2 = 1,702. So you'll need to use 1,702 steps to complete the level. You won't be required to fully optimize it.
This mode could be activated via an optional checkbox before publishing the level.