Run Your Best Cross Country Carnival
Whether you have 50 runners or 500, one iPad or ten — Run Lap Tap scales to fit your school. No expensive chip systems. No complicated setup. Just download and go.
How It Works
Four steps from setup to results
Set Up Rosters
Add your students by class, year group, or house. Import via paste or add manually. Each runner automatically gets a QR code.
Create Events
Create a Race event for each age group/gender. Set the distance (e.g. 2km U12 Boys). Assign runners from your roster.
Race Day
Position staff at the finish line with iPads. Start the timer at the gun. Record finishers using your preferred method — tap, bib, QR, or NFC.
Results & Sharing
Results are instant. Export as PDF for venue posting, CSV for your database, or share a link online for parents and staff to view.
Choose Your Setup
Pick the configuration that matches your school size
Small School
Up to 100 runners · 1 iPad
One device handles everything. Use staggered starts by age group — the timer persists when you switch between events, so you can run multiple races from a single iPad.
- Use Tap mode for fast recording at the finish line
- Create separate events per age group
- Switch between events — each timer keeps running independently
- Export all results when you're back at school
Medium School
100–300 runners · 2–3 iPads
Split by gender or age group across devices. All iPads sync via iCloud when back on Wi-Fi, giving you a complete set of results on every device.
- iPad A: boys' races / iPad B: girls' races
- Or split by age group clusters (e.g. junior vs senior)
- Use Bib mode for numbered runners in larger groups
- All results merge automatically via iCloud sync
Large Carnival
300+ runners · 4+ iPads
Dedicated iPads per age group with QR wristbands or NFC tags for rapid identification. Ideal for inter-school carnivals where speed and accuracy matter most.
- Pre-print QR wristbands from the app — scan to record instantly
- Or use NFC wristbands for contactless finish-line recording
- Assign dedicated staff per recording station
- Results sync across all devices and can be shared online immediately
4 Ways to Record Finishers
Pick the method that suits your event — or mix and match
Tap
Best for: Small groups, PE classes, training sessions
Tap a runner's card on screen as they cross the finish line. Simple and fast — no extra equipment needed.
Pros
- + Zero setup
- + Works instantly
- + Great for under 30 runners
Considerations
- ~ Need to find the runner on screen in large groups
Bib Number
Best for: Traditional numbered races, athletics carnivals
Type the bib number as each runner finishes. Works exactly like traditional timing systems but on your iPad.
Pros
- + Familiar workflow
- + Works with any numbered bib system
- + Fast for experienced timers
Considerations
- ~ Requires pre-printed bibs
- ~ Manual entry can slow at busy finishes
QR Code
Best for: Reusable identification, medium–large events
Each runner gets a QR code automatically when added to a roster. Print wristbands or cards, then scan at the finish line.
Pros
- + Auto-generated — no setup
- + Reusable across all events
- + Fast and accurate
Considerations
- ~ Needs printed wristbands/cards
- ~ Camera needs line of sight
NFC
Best for: Large carnivals, fast finish lines, repeat events
Runners wear NFC wristbands. Just tap the phone to the wristband — time recorded instantly with zero fumbling.
Pros
- + Fastest recording method
- + No screen interaction needed
- + Works in rain/poor visibility
Considerations
- ~ Requires NFC wristbands (cheap to buy)
- ~ iPhone only (no iPad NFC)
Pricing for Schools
Pro is almost always the right choice for schools
Race Pass
Unlocks one event to remove the 30-runner limit. If your carnival has 14 events (7 age groups × 2 genders), that's $139.86.
Pro Annual
Unlimited runners on every event, all year, across all devices on the same Apple ID. Covers your cross country, athletics days, PE testing, and everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is student data safe?
All data is stored locally on your device using Apple's secure data frameworks. We don't collect, transmit, or store any student data on external servers. If iCloud is enabled, data syncs via Apple's encrypted infrastructure. We have no access to any of it.
Does it work offline?
Yes — 100% offline. All timing, recording, and data storage happens locally on the device. You don't need internet to run events, record times, or export results. When you reconnect to Wi-Fi, iCloud sync merges data across devices automatically.
Can we use multiple iPads at once?
Absolutely. If your iPads share the same Apple ID with a Pro subscription, every device has full access. Each iPad creates its own unique records, and iCloud merges everything when devices reconnect — nothing is overwritten or lost.
How does syncing work between devices?
Apple's CloudKit merges records rather than overwriting. If iPad A timed boys and iPad B timed girls, all results from both devices appear on both iPads once they're back on Wi-Fi. Each device creates unique records, so conflicts essentially never happen.
Can we run multiple races at the same time on one device?
Yes — the timer persists even when you navigate between events. You can start U12, go back, start U13, and switch between them to record finishers. That said, for a proper carnival we recommend multiple iPads for a smoother experience.
Race Pass vs Pro — which should our school get?
Pro — every time. A single Race Pass ($9.99) unlocks one event. If your carnival has separate events per age group and gender, that adds up fast. Pro at $39.99/year unlocks unlimited runners on every event, all year, across all devices on the same Apple ID.
Can parents see the results?
Yes! Pro users can tap 'Share Online' to generate a shareable link. Anyone with the link can view results in their browser — no app or account needed. Perfect for emailing to parents or posting on the school website.
What's the best way to get started?
Download the app, grab a Pro subscription, and run a few mock races with test students before your carnival. Practice the recording flow with your staff so everyone is confident on race day. Delete the test events when you're done.
Ready for Your Next Carnival?
Download Run Lap Tap, grab a Pro subscription, and run a few practice races before the big day. Your staff will thank you.
Free to download · No account required · Works on iPhone & iPad