Professional race timing. Without hiring a timing company.
Run The Day makes timing your own race simple with software developed from more than 20 years of race timing experience. We'll provide the tools, training, and support—you'll deliver accurate, live results.
One-time package. No contracts.
- 1Bib 14218:42
- 2Bib 08819:07
- 3Bib 20519:55
How DIY timing works
What you actually do on race day
Four steps, start to finish. Here is exactly what you do and what the system does for you.
01Runners register online
You get a registration page carrying your own race branding, distances, date, and venue—like the live Coast Guard Race site shown here. Sign-ups and payments land in your dashboard already formatted for the timing software, so there's nothing to export or re-key. You can set pricing tiers that step up automatically as race day approaches—that price-increase countdown in the screenshot is the feature running on a real event.
02We ship 100 bibs to you
Numbered bibs arrive before race day. Assign them at packet pickup or morning-of check-in straight from your phone—no laptop, no printer, no line backing up.
03The whole race-day jobKey in bib numbers as runners finish
This is the whole race-day job. One volunteer stands at the finish line with a phone, starts the clock at the gun, then taps each runner's bib number as they cross. The software records the time for you. No timing mats, no chips, no equipment to set up—just a phone and the keypad you see here.
04Results publish live
Every bib you enter posts instantly to a public results page. Runners and families refresh it right from the finish area, and awards are ready before everyone's done stretching.
No spreadsheets.
Logistics
From purchase to race day
What arrives when, so there are no surprises in the weeks before your event.
- 01
You purchase
Your registration page and dashboard get set up so runners can start signing up right away.
- 02
Bibs ship
Your 100 numbered bibs ship well ahead of race day so they arrive with time to spare.
- 03
You train
A walkthrough of check-in, the finish-line keypad, and results before the gun goes off. It is one screen to learn.
- 04
Race morning
Someone from Run The Day is reachable while you run your event, in case a question comes up.
Watch it in action
Watch how easy DIY race timing really is
See how a volunteer can time a race and publish live results in just minutes.
Everything included
Everything you need to professionally time your race
Race registration platform
A custom sign-up page for your event.
Timing software
Proven tools built from 20+ years of timing.
Mobile race-day app
Check runners in right from your phone.
Packet pickup & check-in
Simple day-of participant management.
100 bibs included
Numbered bibs shipped straight to you.
Additional bibs available
Need more? Add them anytime.
Live online results
Real-time results runners can view instantly.
Custom awards
Create your own award categories.
Training before race day
Get comfortable well before the gun goes off.
Real human support
Talk to real people when you need help.
Honest fit
Is this right for your race?
DIY timing is a great fit for a lot of races—and the wrong tool for some. Here is where it shines and where it does not.
A good fit
- 50–250 runners
- A single mass start
- 5K / 10K road or trail races
- School and community fundraisers
- One or a few distances
- A volunteer willing to learn one screen
Not a fit
- Chip timing
- Large fields (thousands of runners)
- Races needing split mats
- Professional course certification
If your race needs any of these, a traditional chip-timing company is the better call—and we'll tell you so on the phone.
Larger than 250 runners? Review runtheday.com for full-service timing options.
Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing
DIY Race Timing Package
- Everything above included
- 100 bibs included
- Additional bibs available if needed
- No subscription
- No contracts
Runners pay a 5–7% + $1 processing fee when they register online. There is no additional software cost to the race.
Real races
Directors who timed their own events
82
runners timed
Read Write Run 5K
A school district timed its own 5K
Jessica, Branden, and the Pass Christian School District used Run The Day to time their Read Write Run 5K—delivering accurate, live results without hiring a timing company or touching a spreadsheet.
Read the full case studyTrapp Cabin Trail Races
A trail race director simplified race management
169
runners
$8,000+
raised
3
distances
“I would recommend this platform for someone wanting to upgrade or simplify race management.”
— Cynthia Needham, Race Director
Who's behind this
Built at the finish line of real races
I'm Ian Campbell from Run The Day. I've spent race mornings on the sidewalk with a phone in hand, timing events for schools, trail races, and community 5Ks. DIY Race Timing is the tool I wanted race directors to have—simple enough to run yourself, accurate enough to trust.
When you reach out, you're talking to me—not a call center. I'll look at your race and tell you honestly whether DIY timing is the right fit.
Why directors choose us
Why race directors love DIY timing
Save money
Professional race timing without hiring a full timing crew.
Surprisingly easy
Designed for volunteers—not professional timers.
Professional results
Accurate live results participants can view immediately.
Compare
Run The Day DIY vs. a traditional timing company
Traditional timing costs vary by company and event—we list “quoted per event” rather than invent a figure.
FAQ
Questions? We've got answers
Not at all. DIY Race Timing is built specifically for volunteers and first-time race directors. We provide training before race day and simple tools, so no prior timing experience is required.
You'll have real people to reach when it counts. Our team supports race directors before and during your event so you're never left on your own.
Yes. The software is built from more than 20 years of professional race timing experience and produces accurate, live results your participants can trust.
Your package includes 100 bibs, and additional bibs are available to purchase whenever you need them. The software scales comfortably for races of roughly 50–250 participants.
The DIY package includes a custom Run The Day registration page that integrates seamlessly with the timing software—no spreadsheets or manual imports. If you have specific needs, request a free race review and we'll talk through your setup.
As you enter bib numbers at the finish line, results publish instantly to a live online results page that runners and families can view in real time.
Training is included with your package. We'll make sure you and your volunteers are comfortable with the tools well before race day.
It happens at almost every race. You can add or fix an entry after the fact rather than losing the result. If you want to see exactly how corrections work before you commit, that's a good thing to walk through when you request a free race review.
You key in one bib right after the other; the finish order and times record as you tap. For very tight finishes, a second volunteer calling out bib numbers helps. We'll cover how to handle a crowded finish line in your training.
Bring a backup phone or a power bank—that's the simplest safeguard. If you're worried about coverage at your specific venue, tell us where you're racing when you request a free race review and we'll talk through the options for your setup.
Directors have used Run The Day for events with more than one distance—the Trapp Cabin Trail Races ran three. If you have multiple waves or a more complex start, reach out for a free race review and we'll confirm the best way to set it up for your race.
A phone with the finish-line keypad, your numbered bibs, and a volunteer or two—one to key in bibs at the line and one to help with check-in. No timing mats, chips, or extra equipment.
Yes. You can adjust entries after the finish so the published results are right. If a specific correction scenario is on your mind, we're happy to show you how it works when you request a free race review.
Ready to time your own race?
Join race directors who have simplified race timing with Run The Day.
One-time package. No contracts.