Event Information

Timers are invited to attend this live webinar where we will provide a debrief on the findings from the recent Timer Survey. Get the inside scoop on:

• Trends in the timer industry
• Timer Business practices (including pricing)
• Technology trends
• Feedback on RunSignup’s RaceDay products

View Slides

Summary of Webinar 

Overview

RunSignup’s 2024 Timer Survey Debrief presented a comprehensive analysis of the annual industry survey—now in its fifth year—covering business trends, technology adoption, staffing challenges, and product feedback from professional race timers. With 182 responses, this year’s results provided a wide view of how timing companies are evolving, how they’re pricing their services, and how they’re using new technology such as RaceDay Scoring, RaceJoy, and RunSignup’s integrated race-day tools.

The session also explored business challenges like competition, staffing, and rising costs, alongside opportunities for growth through new technologies, service diversification, and education.

Survey Participation & Background

The survey included 68 questions (many conditional) and reached timers through email campaigns, newsletters, Timer Talk, and MyLaps promotions. Responses spanned all U.S. regions, with stronger participation from the South, Midwest, and Northeast.

While the results represent the broader timing industry, RunSignup acknowledges that the sample skews slightly toward timers using its products or MyLaps equipment.

Timer Business Insights

Business Scale & Structure

• Timing volume: Most respondents time 11–30 events annually, though 15% handle 150+ events, showing a mix of small and large operations.

• Ownership: 63% of respondents own or co-own their business; only 11% work for another company.

• Full-time vs. part-time: Nearly half (48%) of respondents rely on timing as their sole occupation, while others maintain part- or full-time secondary jobs.

• Staffing models:

  • 67% have no full-time employees, relying instead on contractors or part-timers.

  • Staffing and retention were identified as the top business challenge, followed by managing growth and handling competition.

Pricing Models

• The average minimum fee for timing services is $890, with the most common flat fee being $500.

• Many timers use a hybrid pricing model — a flat base fee plus a per-participant charge (e.g., $1–$3 per participant after 200–300 registrants).

• 32% charge $1,000–$1,499 per event, while 31% charge $1,500 or more.

• Pricing varies by event type (road race, cross country, track, etc.), loyalty discounts, and the complexity of timing setups.

Challenges & Opportunities

Top reported challenges:

1. Staffing shortages and turnover.

2. Managing growth—too many events and not enough staff or resources.

3. Increased competition and undercutting from less-experienced timers.

4. Event resistance to higher prices despite inflation.

5. Aging equipment and uncertainty about when to upgrade.

Creative solutions to staffing issues include recruiting runners, offering paid roles or incentives (like free entries or meals), and adopting remote timing setups to manage multiple events simultaneously.

Technology Trends

Adoption of New Tools

• 67% of timers did not add new services or technologies in 2024.

• Those who did primarily adopted video results, finish line cameras, LED displays, and Starlink connectivity.

• Nearly half (49%) added six or more new events in 2024, signaling industry growth.

Hardware & Software

• Most popular timing systems: MyLaps, FinishLynx, AG Race Timing, and ChronoTrack.

• RaceDay Scoring and Race Director remain top scoring software choices.

• 63% already use modern scoring software, while 20% plan to upgrade within the next year.

• Manual timing remains the top backup solution, though RunSignup’s RaceDay Mobile Timing App is gaining adoption.

• Bluetooth chip timing is still in early adoption, with under 4% using it currently but strong interest in future growth.

Participant Tracking & Results

• 42% of timers do not currently offer tracking services.

• Among those who do:

  • 35% provide split alerts.

  • 31% post results only.

  • 21% offer GPS-based continuous tracking (e.g., RaceJoy).

• RaceJoy was the most used tracking app, followed by RTRT and custom-built options.

• A majority of respondents expressed interest in free integrated photo posting tools, which RunSignup plans to release in 2025.

RunSignup Product Feedback

Most Used RaceDay Tools

1. RaceDay Registration

2. RaceDay Check-In App

3. RaceDay Results

4. Bib Management

5. RaceDay Scoring

Top-Rated Tools

• RaceDay Check-In App: Highest-rated tool with consistent praise for streamlining race-day logistics, preventing errors, and saving time.

• RaceDay Scoring: Runner-up for most valuable tool, praised for its modern design, seamless integration, and real-time data connection with registration and results.

Product Satisfaction Ratings

• Support Services: 4.6 / 5

• RaceDay Scoring: 4.3 / 5

• RaceDay Check-In App: 4.64 / 5

• RaceDay Results: 4.28 / 5

• RaceJoy: 3.72 / 5 (steady from last year, with new enhancements planned for 2025)

• RaceDay Photos: 4.38 / 5

RaceJoy Usage & Pricing

• 57% charge a flat fee for RaceJoy; 30% include it for free.

• Average price: $500–$1,000, depending on event size and monitoring needs.

• Many timers integrate RaceJoy’s GPS tracking with RFID split alerts for a complete experience.

Ticket Services Adoption

• 16% of timers now offer ticketed event services (e.g., VIP events, festivals, or parking), an increase from 2023.

• More timers plan to explore TicketSignup as an added revenue stream in 2025.

Training & Education Priorities

Timers expressed strong interest in future education on:

1. Remote timing and RaceDay Scoring best practices

2. Business growth and client retention

3. Training new timer staff

4. Event marketing and promotional tools

RunSignup will use this feedback to shape its 2025 webinar and Timer Education Summit curriculum, focusing on practical business and technical development for timers of all sizes.

Key Takeaways

• The timing industry is growing, with nearly half of respondents adding multiple new events in 2024.

• Staffing remains the most pressing challenge, alongside competition and pricing pressures.

• Adoption of modern scoring, video, and remote timing technologies is rising steadily.

• RaceDay tools, particularly the Check-In App and RaceDay Scoring, continue to deliver strong value and satisfaction.

• Timers are increasingly diversifying into ticketed events and photo/results enhancements to expand revenue.

• Ongoing training and collaboration remain central to RunSignup’s support for the timer community.