Event Information

Part of the Expanding Timer Revenue Series

Join us for an interactive webinar designed exclusively for RaceJoy Certified Timers to explore innovative ways to monetize RaceJoy’s Real-Time Tracking technology.

Hear from fellow Certified Timers and share your own strategies for turning this powerful tool into a consistent revenue stream. Discover how others are using RaceJoy to:

• Win new business by offering it as a competitive advantage
• Add value for smaller events by including it as a free perk
• Create customized tracking experiences and charge premium rates

With the latest integration between RaceJoy and RaceDay Scoring, you can now deliver progress alerts based on your timing equipment. Discover how timers are incorporating new timing points on the course and upcharging for equipment placement to offer chip timing alerts. Deliver a big race experience and expand the usage of RaceJoy to participants not carrying their phones.

Whether you’re already offering RaceJoy or just getting started, this session will provide insights, real-world examples, and inspiration to help you unlock new revenue opportunities.

View Slides

Summary of Webinar 

Overview

This Timer Tip Tuesday session focuses on turning RaceJoy into a meaningful revenue stream for timers, not just a value-add feature. Drawing on over 12 years of RaceJoy experience, the presenters walk through how RaceJoy services can be packaged, priced, and positioned to increase timer revenue while improving participant, spectator, and sponsor engagement. The webinar introduces a clear tiered framework for RaceJoy offerings, explores real-world pricing strategies used by timers today, and highlights how timing integration and sponsor assets significantly expand monetization potential.

RaceJoy’s Distribution Model

RaceJoy is distributed exclusively through certified timers.

Key principles:

• Timers are the technology partners

• RaceJoy is not sold directly to races

• Certified timers control implementation, pricing, and support

• If an event uses RunSignup, RaceJoy is included at no cost to the timer

• If not on RunSignup, a nominal $750 fee applies

This model ensures:

• Timers own the client relationship

• Timers are compensated for expertise and labor

• RaceJoy strengthens long-term timer–race loyalty

What RaceJoy Is (and Is Not)

RaceJoy is more than GPS tracking.

It provides:

• Participant tracking

• Spectator engagement

• Safety monitoring

• Sponsor activation

• Integrated data flow with RunSignup and RaceDay Scoring

A major differentiator:

• Fully integrated ecosystem (registration, timing, tracking, alerts)

• No manual syncing or third-party patchwork

• Eight years of continuous platform integration

Tiered RaceJoy Service Model

RaceJoy services naturally fall into three tiers, which can be mixed and matched per event.

Tier 1: GPS Tracking (Baseline)

What it includes

• Course map setup

• GPS-based participant tracking

• Race-day monitoring and adjustments

Work involved

• Map accuracy

• Monitoring during the event

Best for

• Shorter races

• Ultras focused on safety

• Virtual and hybrid events

• Entry-level adoption or bundled services

Tier 2: GPS + Bib Tracking (Timing Integration)

Introduced in August and already used by 80+ events.

What it adds

• RFID/bib-based tracking streamed directly from RaceDay Scoring

• Real-time splits and alerts

• Tracking for all participants, not just phone carriers

• Seamless spectator experience

Key points

• Does not require full RaceDay Scoring adoption

• Works with existing timing equipment

• Greatly increases spectator engagement

• Expands value without significantly increasing setup workload

Why it matters

• Spectators often outnumber participants

• Thousands of spectators can engage without app setup

• Elevates the perceived value of timing services

Tier 3: Customization & Sponsor Assets (Premium)

This tier unlocks direct revenue opportunities tied to sponsor value.

Customizable assets

• Branded alerts (e.g., “Lexus Mile 2”)

• Banner ads in the app

• Sponsored map icons and locations

• Scheduled news alerts

• Custom audio messages

• Gamified map interactions

Two approaches

• Timer builds and manages the experience

• Timer trains race staff to manage it themselves

Why it’s powerful

• Race directors can sell sponsorships tied to RaceJoy

• Sponsors gain measurable engagement

• Timers can charge higher add-on or premium fees

Key Monetization Concept: Assets

RaceJoy contains sellable digital assets.

Examples:

• Progress alerts

• Location naming rights

• Sponsored audio

• Branded banners

• Map-based interactions

When races monetize these assets, timers are in a stronger position to:

• Charge setup fees

• Add premium service tiers

• Increase year-over-year contract value

Pricing Landscape (Industry Context)

Other tracking platforms often:

• Charge setup fees ($200–$thousands)

• Charge per participant ($0.30–$0.60)

• Sell directly to races

• Create disconnected result sets

RaceJoy differs because:

• Timers control pricing

• Timers own the data and delivery

• Compensation aligns with effort and expertise

Pricing Considerations for Timers

When pricing RaceJoy, consider:

• Event goals (safety, sponsors, growth, engagement)

• Race distance and complexity

• Number of courses and days

• Existing pricing model (flat fee vs per participant)

• Staff time and equipment requirements

• Market expectations and tolerance

Important consistency rule:

• If RaceJoy is offered, it must be activated for all courses in the event

How Timers Currently Price RaceJoy (Survey Insights)

From timer survey data:

• Over 50% charge a flat fee

• ~35% offer RaceJoy for free

• ~18% bundle it into timing services

• Per-participant pricing is less common (but growing)

Key insight:

• GPS + bib tracking is expected to shift pricing upward as adoption increases

Split Timing as a Revenue Driver

Splits are central to bib tracking value.

Splits benefit:

• Participants (pace and progress)

• Spectators (predictable viewing points)

• Timers (course validation and monitoring)

Split placement considerations:

• Meaningful distances (5K, halfway, finish)

• Spectator usefulness

• Physical feasibility

• Equipment placement accuracy

• Repeat pass locations (double value)

Typical guidance:

• 5K: GPS only or minimal splits

• 10K: 1 additional split

• Half marathon: 2+ splits

• Marathon: 3+ splits

Pricing Splits

Common split pricing ranges:

• $300–$700 per split

Factors affecting cost:

• Staff hours and travel

• Equipment needs

• Course access

• Duration of monitoring

Additional benefits:

• Training newer staff

• Retaining seasonal team members

• Increasing staff utilization

Example Pricing Models

Tier 1 (GPS Only)

• Free (to win business or bundle)

• Flat fee: ~$250–$750

• Per participant: ~$0.20–$0.50 (larger races)

Tier 2 (GPS + Bib Tracking)

• Flat fee: ~$750–$1,500+

• Per participant: ~$0.25–$0.75

• Often paired with split fees

Tier 3 (Premium Customization)

• Flat fee: ~$1,250+ base

• Per participant add-ons

• Includes sponsor assets and customization work

Hybrid approaches are common:

• Minimum fee + per participant

• Flat fee + per split

• Bundled into premium timing packages

Demonstrated Event Examples

Donna Marathon

• 3,300+ spectators

• 100,000+ timing alerts

• Heavy donation integration

• Strong sponsor visibility

Glass City Marathon

• Schedule integration

• Sponsor branding throughout the app

• University partner highlights

Historic / Themed Events

• Custom audio and geo-triggered content

• Educational and experiential enhancements

Measuring and Proving Value

RaceJoy usage dashboards show:

• Spectator counts

• Alert volume

• Engagement metrics

• Participant interaction

These metrics help timers:

• Justify pricing

• Support sponsor ROI

• Strengthen renewal conversations

Promotion Is Critical

RaceJoy value depends on adoption.

Successful races:

• Promote via email and social

• Highlight tracking on websites

• Use the RaceJoy promotion toolkit

• Encourage spectators to engage

An updated promotion toolkit (including timing integration) is being released.

Key Takeaways

• RaceJoy is a revenue-capable service, not just a feature

• Tiered offerings help align price with effort and value

• GPS + bib tracking is a major monetization inflection point

• Splits drive engagement and revenue

• Sponsor assets unlock premium pricing

• Timers control distribution, pricing, and success

• Strong promotion amplifies value for everyone involved