Choosing the right race registration platform can make or break your race experience, both for you as the organizer and for your participants. Over the years, we’ve worked with just about every major registration tool in the endurance industry. And while many of them offer solid features, RunSignup continues to be our go-to platform for one simple reason: it works, and works well.

In this post, we’ll break down what we look for in a registration platform, why RunSignup stands out, and how we help race directors get the most out of it.

What Race Directors Really Need in a Registration Platform

Your race registration platform is often the first interaction a participant has with your event, and first impressions matter. A smooth, mobile-friendly experience helps build trust, reduce registration drop-off, and create a positive vibe before race day even arrives.

But it’s not just about participant experience. As a race director, you need tools that make your life easier behind the scenes; like managing entries, adjusting pricing, pulling reports, sending emails, and handling those last-minute “can I switch to the 10K?” requests.

Why We Use RunSignup — Key Features We Love

RunSignup offers a wide range of tools that make registration, promotion, and participant management incredibly efficient. Below are some of the key features we rely on, but you can view the full list on RunSignup’s website if you’d like to explore more.

Customizable Registration Paths

Create simple or complex race registration flows that match your event’s needs. Add custom questions, collect add-on purchases, manage age-based pricing, and build bundled packages with ease.

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Free Website with Mobile-Optimized Experience

RunSignup offers free, fully customizable event website. Over 80% of participants register on their phones. RunSignup is fast, responsive, and easy to use on any device which means fewer abandoned signups.

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Flexible Pricing Options

Set up early bird pricing, dynamic price increases, team discounts, coupon codes, and group bundles. The pricing engine is one of the most powerful in the industry.

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Participant Self-Management

Let participants update shirt sizes, defer entries, transfer to another race, or manage their team — all without you lifting a finger. Less admin, more time for your race.

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RaceDay Check-In App

Speed up packet pickup and reduce race-day stress with the free RaceDay Check-In app. Volunteers can quickly look up participants, verify waiver status, and assign bibs using a tablet or phone — no spreadsheets or clipboards required.

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Real-Time Reports & Exports

Access clean, customizable reports in real-time. Whether you need a bib list, waiver report, or financial summary, it’s all there — downloadable or shareable.

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Free Built-in Email Tools

Send professional emails right from the platform. Segment by registration date, event, team, and more. No need for Mailchimp or other external platforms.

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Integrated Volunteer & Sponsor Management

Collect volunteer signups, assign tasks, and manage sponsors through the same race registration platform, keeping data in one place.

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Referral Tracking & Social Tools

Built-in referral programs let you reward participants for sharing your event. You can even track conversions from Facebook or Google ads with simple integrations.

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How We Make It Even Easier

While RunSignup is already intuitive, we go a step further. We offer two ways to get your race registration set up:

  1. DIY with Support – We send you a setup link and provide support and coaching as needed.

  2. Done-for-You Setup – You fill out a quick form, and we take care of the rest — creating your registration path, branding, pricing structure, questions, and more.

Both options include ongoing support and training so you’re confident managing your registration as your event approaches.

👉 Learn more about our Registration Setup Services →

Conclusion

RunSignup gives us — and the race directors we support — the tools to streamline operations, improve participant satisfaction, and reduce admin headaches. It’s more than just a signup form — it’s a full-service race registration and event management system that helps you stay organized and focused on what matters: producing a great race.

Ready to get your registration live? Send us a message and we’ll help you set it up right the first time.