Event Information

Turkey Trots often bring more race-day registrations and packet pickups, plus participants eager for a fun, family holiday tradition. In this session, we’ll share best practices for using RunSignup’s RaceDay technology tools to deliver a smooth and engaging experience—and help you better understand how your timer can partner with you to make it all happen.

We’ll cover:

• RaceDay CheckIn App for fast bib and swag pickup, dynamic bib assignments, use of QR codes, and handling last-minute changes.
• Real-Time Results for quick, accurate results that keep participants smiling.
• RaceJoy to elevate the Thanksgiving theme with custom audio experience, live tracking, alerts, and engagement—even for family members following from home while cooking the feast.
• Results & Photos to keep participants and their families connected right after the finish.

Learn how to manage the unique dynamics of Turkey Trots and how your timer can help deliver the best possible race-day experience.

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Summary of Webinar 

What You’ll Learn

• How to prepare and optimize race-day and on-site registration

• How to use the RaceDay Check-In App for efficient, rapid packet pickup

• How to set up RaceJoy GPS tracking, audio experiences, and monitoring tools

• How to activate and deploy RunSignup Results, text notifications, and certificates

• How to leverage RaceDay Photos and the Mobile Timing App for instant, auto-tagged images

• How to use kiosk modes, medical tent check-in, and other auxiliary race-day features

• Best practices to reduce lines, eliminate confusion, and deliver a top-tier race experience

Key Concepts

Thanksgiving is the biggest race day in the U.S.

• 1.1M+ RunSignup registrants last year

• Nearly 1,000 Turkey Trot events

• Extremely high percentage of first-time or once-a-year participants
  → Meaning: Communication, clarity, and efficient technology systems matter more than ever.

Preparedness prevents race-day chaos

• Test all tech tools in advance

• Update devices

• Train staff on apps and workflows

• Use dynamic bib assignment to reduce lines and cut volunteer workload

Mobile-friendly workflows reduce bottlenecks

• Participants registering or checking in on their own phones is ALWAYS the fastest option

• QR-coded reg IDs and QR-coded bibs are major time-savers

Race-Day Registration

The Reality

Large percentages of Turkey Trot registrations happen late—many on-site.
→ Early preparation prevents long lines and frustrated participants.

Best Practices Highlighted

• Keep online registration open in RunSignup, even when switching to on-site only

• Use RunSignup’s on-site registration pages for paperless check-ins

• Always promote QR codes for self-registration to shorten lines

• Train volunteers on the workflow (including cash/check override workflows)

• Add your QR signup link to signage, packet pickup tables, and pre-race emails

Key Tool: On-Site Registration

• Password-protected

• Great for kiosk computers

• Supports cash/check entry while still storing all participant info digitally

• Prevents manual data re-entry for timers

Email & Communication Setup

Packet Pickup Email Must-Haves

• Use Email V2 templates for:

  • Pre-Race Instructions

  • Bibs Preassigned

  • Dynamic Bib Assignment

• Include Registration ID QR Code at the top

• Schedule emails in advance so they dynamically update as new people register

Why It Matters

Turkey trot participants often:

• Register late

• Don’t know race-day etiquette

• Don’t know what “packet pickup” means

Clear instructions = happy participants + shorter lines + faster operations

Giveaway Inventory

Why Use It

• Automatically prevents selling out of shirt sizes without you noticing

• Allows accurate forecasting

• Enables better control of last-minute shirt swaps

• Helps manage late registrations without setting complicated cutoffs

Must-Do

• Add a “No Shirt” option across events

• Use the inventory numbers to gauge ordering needs and protect limited sizes

RaceDay Check-In App

2024 Stats

• Used by 54% of Turkey Trots

• 700,000+ participants checked in

• More used by participants than by races → App usage is expanding rapidly

Why Use It

• Lightning-fast lookup and check-in

• Supports dynamic bib assignment

• Syncs instantly with RunSignup registration and timer systems

• Reduces staffing needs

• Supports complex operations (waivers, event transfers, bib validation, etc.)

Critical Setup Steps

• Enable check-in window dates in RunSignup

• Create a shared password (not your RSU login)

• Require bibs and show giveaways

• Enable auto-camera scanning for QR-coded bibs

• Prevent duplicate bibs

• Test your workflow on-device

Family / Group Check-In

• Enable: Related Registrations

• Speeds up packet pickup dramatically—critical for large Thanksgiving races

• Write the participant’s first name on the back of bibs when distributing multiples

RaceJoy

Why It’s Valuable for Turkey Trots

• Great spectator engagement for families at home

• Sends remote cheers and progress alerts

• Offers mile-by-mile GPS tracking

• Supports custom Thanksgiving audio experiences

• Chip data + GPS integrated for real-time leaderboards

• Race operations monitoring: see all participants, lead bike, sweep/sag wagon, etc.

Important Setup Notes

• RaceJoy requires a certified timer

• Must be enabled 10+ days before race day

• Have your GPX/KML course files ready for faster setup

Results & Notifications

Massive Volumes

• 550,000+ emails/texts sent on Thanksgiving Day

• 23% of races used the RunSignup results notifications tool

Benefits

• Fast, automatic result alerts

• Athlete pages combine results + photos

• Easy sharing to social media

• Optional finisher certificates with sponsor branding

Checklist

• Ensure your timer knows results must be published LIVE

• Enable notifications BEFORE race week

• Add the results link prominently on your website

• Set up certificates ahead of time

RaceDay Photos & Mobile Timing Photo Capture

Huge Expansion Area

• 102,000 photos uploaded last Thanksgiving

• Expected to multiply with the Mobile Timing App photo tools

Why This Matters

Participants LOVE photos—especially occasional runners.
More sharable photos = stronger social reach = stronger next-year registration numbers.

The Mobile Timing App in Photo Mode

• Volunteers use ANY smartphone

• Photos upload instantly to RunSignup

• Auto-tagged using bib recognition

• Not stored on the device

• Works even without timing hardware

• Great for:

  • Start line

  • Finish line

  • Turnarounds

  • Kids runs

  • Scenic spots

Best Practices

• Set your watermark early

• Test framing with a dummy album

• Use good bibs: big numbers + good spacing

• Use multiple devices for continuous coverage

Additional Check-In App Tools

Results Kiosk Mode

Turn check-in tablets into public results lookup stations after packet pickup ends.

Medical Tent Check-In

Track:

• Who enters

• Who exits

• Severity notes

• Location updates

Huge value for operations and participant safety.

Final Takeaways

Turkey Trots bring unique challenges—massive turnout, many first-time runners, cold weather, and high time pressure.
The key to success is proactive preparation, mobile-friendly workflows, and RaceDay technology that eliminates bottlenecks:

• Use dynamic bib assignment to cut lines

• Send QR-coded packet pickup emails

• Use the RaceDay Check-In App on every device

• Enable RaceJoy early

• Push live results and notifications

• Capture instant mobile photos for social sharing

• Use kiosk and medical modes for smooth operations across the finish line

With these tools in place, your Turkey Trot runs smoother, faster, and more professionally—and gives participants a race-day experience worth coming back for every year.