How Trapp Cabin Trail Races Raised $8,000+ Using DIY Timing

In fall 2024, the Trapp Cabin Trail Races, a community-driven 5K/10K/Half Marathon in rural Vermont used Run The Day’s DIY race timing to time their race while raising over $8,000 for local causes.

The stats below highlight the event’s success.

• Total Raised: $8,900
• Participants: 169
• Timing Method: Do It Yourself (DIY)  Timing via Run The Day App

Smart strategy, great energy, and the right technology helped them pull it off.

The Backstory: A Trail Race With a Mission

The Trapp Cabin Trail Race, now in its 14th year, is an annual fundraiser supporting Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS)—a Vermont nonprofit committed to providing inclusive sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.

This 2024 event welcomed:

• 169 runners, including 21 from the Stowe Middle School cross-country team
• Three distance options: 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon
• Trails winding through the iconic Trapp Family Lodge, offering runners a mix of open fields and magical single-track terrain

The goal? Raise money, deliver a smooth race experience, and stay community focused.

The Challenge

Before switching to Run The Day, Cynthia’s team used outdated software that required:

• Manual input of runners' start and finish times
• Disjointed platforms for registration and timing
• High stress, low flexibility, and limited real-time support
• Post-race headaches like timing errors and participant complaints

Hiring a chip timing company would’ve cost over $2,000.

That’s when they found DIY race timing with Run The Day.

➡️ Need help? Get a race timing quote from Run The Day for full-service or self-serve timing setups. Packages start at $499 per event.

The Solution: Run The Day’s DIY Timing Platform

After researching new tools, Cynthia decided to switch to Run The Day because of:

• A one-stop shop for registration, timing, and results
• Budget-friendly pricing with no hidden charges
• A user-friendly interface that is easy to manage
• Real-time results for runners

With the help of DIY timing, Cynthia’s team was able to:

• Check runners in
• Track start and finish times with the mobile app
• Hand out awards quickly and confidently.

Step-by-Step: How Trapp Cabin Made It Work

Step 1: Set Up the Event Online

Using Run The Day’s race management platform, they:

• Easily built a customized event page.
• Created categories for the 5K, 10K and half marathon
• Accepted online payments and donations
• Collected  shirt sizes to simplify race logistics.

Step 2: Use Phones (Not Chips) to Time the Race

Instead of RFID tags and expensive hardware:

• Each runner was assigned a numbered bib
• Volunteers used the RTD Timing App on their phones
• As runners crossed the finish line, volunteers tapped in their bib number
• The app synced with the master clock in real-time
• The app automatically displayed the top runners in all age categories for every race distance 

Step 3: Deliver Real-Time Results

Spectators and runners could watch results populate live as runners crossed the line.

What about a missed bib or mistimed entry?

No problem— Run The Day’s real-time editing tool fixed it in seconds.

No spreadsheets. No stress. Just a smooth, modern experience.

What Made the Difference

The success of Trapp Cabin’s 2024 race came down to five key factors:

• Budget-Friendly Timing

Manual timing through Run The Day costs just a fraction of traditional chip timing, freeing up more funds for the cause.

• Live Results = Happy Runners

Participants were able to view results by age group, gender, and time—right from their phones, without waiting for hours to see where they placed.

• Perfect for Mid-Sized Races

The system handled 169 participants with ease, proving that it can handle races up to 200 runners.

• Real-Time Editing & Accuracy

Missed a bib? Made a typo? No problem—Run The Day’s app allows real-time edits that sync across the board instantly.

• All-in-One Platform

Everything—registration, payments, bib assignment, timing, live results, and reporting—was handled in one place. No switching tools, no data exports, no manual syncing.

What Race Directors have to Say

“Using Run The Day gave us the confidence to manage timing ourselves. It was easier than we expected—and we raised more money than ever.”
— Cynthia Needham Race Director for Trapp Cabin Trail Races

The Results

 

 The Takeaway: DIY = More Funds with Less Friction

The Trapp Cabin Trail Races are proof that you don’t need big budgets or fancy gear to host a successful race.

By embracing DIY timing, the Trapp Cabin Trail Races were able to:

• Reduce overhead
• Simplify race-day logistics
• Deliver real-time results
• Raise more money than ever before

And in the end? They raised more, worked less, and delivered an unforgettable experience.

➡️ Tired of complicated software? See how Run The Day makes registration and check-in easy. Schedule a demo to experience simple software built for 5K races.

Final Word: High Impact, Low Overhead

The Trapp Cabin Trail Races showed how effective DIY race timing can be. With Run The Day, race directors can simplify operations, reduce expenses, and raise more money for great causes.

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to streamline an annual tradition, organizing a 5K race with Run The Day’s DIY Timing puts the tools in your hands while giving you real support when you need it.

👉Also Read: Do It Yourself (DIY) Race Timing — When It Works (and When It Fails)