Event Information

Join us for this special Timer Tip Tuesday session as we introduce RaceJoy’s new Predictive Tracking feature — designed specifically for timers using chip timing progress updates. This new capability complements RaceJoy’s core GPS tracking functionality by enabling map-based tracking for all participants, even those not using a phone for live tracking.

Available exclusively to select timers with a proven history using RaceJoy, this feature leverages RFID data from timing equipment on the course to deliver real-time predictive tracking that enhances the race experience for spectators and organizers alike.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• How Predictive Tracking works and how it differs from GPS tracking
• Setting up and enabling chip-timing-based tracking in RaceJoy
• How participant progress is calculated and displayed in the map view
• Best practices for implementing Predictive Tracking on race day
• Eligibility requirements and rollout details for select timers

With Predictive Tracking, your races can now offer a comprehensive tracking experience for all participants, combining the accuracy of chip timing with the dynamic RaceJoy race day experience.

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Summary of Webinar

Overview

This Timer Tip Tuesday webinar introduces RaceJoy’s new Predictive Pace (or Predictive Map Positioning) feature, launched in May. It explains how it works, what data it uses, how timers can enable it, and operational best practices. The goal is to help timers elevate race-day experiences by combining GPS and timing equipment data to show all participants on a live map — not just those carrying phones.

Core Concepts

Two Types of Tracking in RaceJoy

RaceJoy now supports two complementary data sources:

• GPS/phone-based tracking: The original model; uses a participant’s phone to provide continuous location and pace data (accurate to ~10m).
• Timing equipment–based tracking: Pulls chip reads or manual timing data from Race Day Scoring or other timing software and streams it into RaceJoy.

Timers can now use both together to show all participants on the course map.

The Predictive Pace Feature

What It Does

• Provides estimated live positions on the map for participants not carrying phones.
• Combines:
  • Actual chip read times from timing points
  • Estimated start times and registration-provided predicted finish times
  • Optional user-updated pace estimates in RaceJoy
  • Age-graded pace defaults (if no data provided)
• Continuously updates estimated location between timing points.
• Visually distinguishes:
  • Live GPS dots (pulsing) vs. Estimated dots (static) for spectators and timers.

Why It Matters

• Creates a complete map experience for spectators.
• Gives timers operational visibility on leaders/tail participants even if they aren’t using the app.
• Adds value for race directors and enhances perceived event quality.

How the Algorithm Works

• Requires an actual start read to begin estimating.
• Early positioning blends:
  • Registration estimated finish time (custom question)
  • Any user-provided updated estimates in RaceJoy
  • Age/gender standards if no other data exists
• Once chip reads start coming in:
  • Weight shifts heavily to actual performance from timing points
  • Estimates continuously refine between timing points
• Built-in safeguard: system never progresses a participant past the next un-hit timing point if no read has been received (prevents false positions if equipment is down).

Levels of RaceJoy Implementation

1. GPS only – Track only participants carrying phones.
2. Timing integration – Provide timing-based split notifications and results, even for those without phones.
3. Predictive map positioning – Show everyone on the map, blending GPS and timing data (this new feature).

Timers are encouraged to progress through these levels in order.

Requirements to Use Predictive Pace

• Be a RaceJoy-certified timer with prior success streaming data into RaceJoy.
• Use Race Day Scoring (as middleware) to stream real-time timing reads.
• Sufficient equipment coverage:
  • Half marathon or less: at least 2 intermediate timing points
  • Marathon: about 3 intermediate points
• Add a custom “estimated finish time” question to registration.
• Request activation by emailing info@racejoy.com. Predictive mode is only enabled by the support team after verifying setup.

Setup Process (High-Level)

1. In RaceJoy:
   • Build your course map and place timing points.
   • Use the “Add to timing configuration” checkbox when placing points.
2. In Race Day Scoring:
   • Set up segments and map timing occurrences to RaceJoy points.
   • Enable streaming in the Notifications area.
3. Race Week:
   • Enable at least one week ahead so participants see both tracking types in the app.
   • On race day, start streaming once start reads are received.

Monitoring and Operations

• Use RaceJoy Monitoring alongside scoring on race day to:
  • Confirm participants are on-course
  • Track lead and tail positions
  • Detect missing data or equipment failures quickly
• Tips:
  • Equipment must send correct timestamps (time zone errors cause major issues)
  • Ensure course path is accurate to avoid off-course map visuals
  • Real-time system: once push notifications are sent, they cannot be retracted
  • You can replay data (after fixing issues) to populate splits later, but late data won’t trigger missed notifications

Privacy and Opt-In Notes

• GPS tracking is explicit opt-in by participants.
• Predictive tracking only generates data if someone subscribes to follow that participant (no global automatic tracking).
• Location tracking automatically disables when participants leave the event venue geofence.

Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

• Set up points and segments at least a week in advance.
• Get chip start reads for accurate first-segment estimates.
• Avoid mis-mapped equipment IDs or incorrect timing point placements.
• Plan for real-time streaming reliability (cell coverage, power, weather).
• Use clear friendly names for timing points (e.g. “10K Split” not “Q6.25”).
• For relays, set up exchange points separately to enable team tracking.

Benefits for Timers

• No cost if event uses RunSignup registration (or $750 flat if not)
• Adds a high-value feature to sell to race directors
• Improves operational control and visibility
• Enhances participant and spectator experience with minimal extra work once set up

Key Takeaways

• Predictive Pace blends timing data and estimates to show all participants on the map.
• Success depends on good real-time data, equipment coverage, and early setup.
• Start with GPS-only → add timing integration → progress to predictive positioning.
• Contact info@racejoy.com to get predictive mode enabled for your event.