In 2025, 50% of all races on RunSignup used the RaceDay CheckIn app. 60% of all participants — 7.3 million people — were checked in with it, across races ranging from 200 participants to 26,800.
Many race directors and timers view RunSignup’s free RaceDay CheckIn App primarily as a dynamic bib assignment tool. While it excels at matching runners to bib numbers on the fly, dynamic assignment is just the entry point. The app offers a comprehensive suite of event-day tools. Below we cover the ways you can unlock the power of the RaceDay CheckIn app to streamline packet pickup, manage race logistics, track volunteers, and deliver a smooth experience for participants and race operations.
Bib Assignment, Dynamic and Pre-Assigned
Dynamic bib assignment remains one of the app’s flagship capabilities, eliminating the need to prep and sort thousands of bibs ahead of time. However, the app is equally valuable for races that pre-assign bibs weeks in advance. By checking in participants with pre-assigned bibs, event staff instantly sync data across registration files and scoring software while taking advantage of many of the features listed below.
Updating Participant Data
Instead of sending runners back and forth between different support tables, custom app configurations allow volunteers to handle data updates on the spot:
- Missing & Changing Information, Signed Waivers: Collect uncaptured question responses, change participant data and adjust courses, or missing age-based waiver signatures during check-in.
- Corral & Wave Management: Update corral assignments for participants moving into early-start groups, keeping start-time data clean and accurate for scoring.
- Aid Station Event Transfers: At long-distance or ultra events, remote volunteers at course splits can transfer dropping participants into shorter distance categories right from an aid station tablet.
Check-In Reporting
The app’s reporting tools provide valuable data on packet pickup traffic patterns. Under Race Day Tools → RaceDay Check-In → Check-In Stats, you get a time-series view of check-ins broken into five-minute intervals.
This activity graph tells you:
- Where lines formed — plateaus mean people were waiting; add staff next year
- When it was quiet — good windows for volunteer shift changes or shortening your packet pickup window
- No-show rates — useful for estimating water, medals, and other supplies
The reporting area also includes CSV downloads for checked-in participants, participants not yet checked in (useful for a race morning reminder email), bib assignment records, and a device-level summary of check-in activity.
Volunteer Check-In Management
Managing event staff is simplified using the dedicated Volunteer Mode. Instead of filtering by race event or distance, staff can switch configurations to check in volunteers by task (such as water stations, course marshals, or gear check). This keeps volunteer tracking organized in one mobile interface without cluttering participant registration databases.
Label Printing
Label printing has become one of the most popular add-ons to the check-in workflow. When a participant is looked up, the app prints a label — name, shirt size, or whatever fields you configure — directly to a Brother QL-820NWB via Bluetooth. For participants who registered after you pre-labeled packets, they still get their name on their bib.
Medical Mode Tracking
The app includes a medical configuration for tracking participants who enter and exit a medical tent. It records check-in and check-out times and can display medical information collected at registration. That data is downloadable for post-event reference. If you’re using this feature, be mindful of HIPAA requirements for handling medical information.
Results Kiosk
After packet pickup closes, the devices you already have on site can become results lookup stations. Switch the app to results kiosk mode, and participants can look up their results by bib number — pulling directly from RunSignup. It’s a low-effort way to extend the usefulness of equipment you’re already managing.
QR Codes and Keeping Registration Open
A QR code printed on a bib can serve double duty: scanned at packet pickup to assign the bib, and scanned at the finish to pull up the participant’s results. That same URL structure works when participants scan their own bib with a phone.
Because the check-in app syncs with RunSignup every 30 seconds, there’s no technical reason to close registration before race day. Someone who registers at 6:45 a.m. is in the app in under a minute. Fast registration and on-site registration options reduce friction further — participants can register without logging into an account, and on-site kiosks handle cash payments through a password-protected flow that keeps everything in the same database.
Next Steps: Unlocking the Power of the RaceDay CheckIn app
The RaceDay Check-In App is free for both race directors and timers using RunSignup. Race directors are encouraged to connect with their RaceDay CheckIn Certified Timers ahead of race day to review these expanded features, set up customized app configurations, and build an efficient packet pickup strategy tailored to their event.
Timers Leveling Up with the RaceDay CheckIn App
If you’re a timer with events using RunSignup’s registration and not already certified, the RaceDay Check-In Timer Certification is worth your time. This online course provides a how-to on setting up the RaceDay CheckIn app and upon completion of a simple quiz, you receive the official badge and status of a RaceDay CheckIn Certified Timer.
->RaceDay CheckIn Timer Certification Course.
Below is a recent webinar for Timers that covers how to take advantage of the more advanced features covered in this blog.
.