The Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash held its 21st event in Indianapolis, Indiana and is known for their Thanksgiving morning event where participants ‘move your feet so others can eat!®’ This year the event used RunSignup’s RaceDay CheckIn app to efficiently process a total of 13,094 participants (12,251 the day before race day and another 843 participants on Thanksgiving race day). Event organizers made full use of technology to deliver a streamlined experience for their participants, including dynamic bib assignments, QR code scanning, RaceDay CheckIn app, and on-site label printing.
Power of Dynamic Bib Assignments & QR Codes
Dynamic bib assignments offer increased efficiencies at packet pickup and simplifies the overall experience. The Drumstick Dash issued QR codes to participants who then presented their code at packet pickup. Volunteers used RunSignup’s RaceDay CheckIn app to quickly scan the code to assign a bib number. Using QR codes reduces the time it would take to look up a person by their name and reduces the potential for error associated with duplicate names. What previously took minutes, now takes seconds, and avoids having to resolve issues down the road.
Label Printing for Greater Efficiencies
The Drumstick Dash also made use of the label printing feature available with the free Raceday Checkin App to print out key participant information and attach to the assigned bib. The CheckIn app integrates with registration data and pulls in participant profile information and custom questions. What is shown in the app and what is printed on labels is customized based on the event’s needs. For the Drumstick Dash they printed the participant’s start corral, name, and shirt size to help with processing things at packet pickup and then at the start of the event.
A Timer’s Role Beyond Timing
To make use of the CheckIn app, most events rely on their event’s timer to help with their bib assignment process and theRaceDay CheckIn app setup. The Drumstick Dash’s timer, Scott Langford with Trinity Timing, facilitated this year’s dynamic bib assignment and check-in approach. He shares that it was “it was awesome” and “all went smoothly”. It is great to see a timer help events apply new technology that make a difference for both participants and race staff.
About the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash
The Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash donates all proceeds to provide support for the homeless in the local community and provide meals and care for homeless men, women, and children in the Indianapolis area. This year’s event raised more than $100,000 to help those in need!
Wheeler is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and need in Central and South Central Indiana without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion.
If you would like to take advantage of RunSignup’s free RaceDay CheckIn app, consult your timer or RunSignup account manager.