Frequently Asked Questions

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GENERAL FAQ

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What is Webscorer?

Webscorer is a comprehensive platform for organizing timing-sport races - and is used by thousands of race organizers across 40+ sports in 70+ countries. It includes three components, tightly integrated with one another, but which can also be utilized separately:
  • Race registration - an easy to use web-based, mobile-optimized online registration tool
  • Race timing - a sophisticated app that runs on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac devices
  • Race results - a high-performance website that supports live results posting from the app and via a file upload
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What are the key benefits of the Webscorer platform?

Race registration
  • Dramatically lower processing fees, immediate access to your funds
  • Integration with Webscorer PRO timing
  • Handle day-of-race reg mayhem by keeping online reg open until minutes before the race
  • Embed the reg page on your own website without any Webscorer insignia:
Race timing
  • Mobile timing software for both manual and chip-timing
  • Fraction of the cost of PC-based timing software
  • Live / instant results via the website and free results app
  • Support for all race types and formats across 40+ sports
Race results
  • Scalable website for posting results from the app or via file upload
  • Database design enables dynamic results views, customization by organizer
  • Lap times, pace as e.g. time / mile, % back, penalties, handicaps etc.
  • Embed the results pages on your own website without any Webscorer insignia:
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Who is behind Webscorer?

  • Webscorer Inc. was founded in July 2009 with a mission to make race timing easier, more affordable
  • Webscorer designs and develops all of its technology in house
  • The company’s scalable data center is hosted by Amazon Web Services
  • The company has 5 employees, each with a solid background in their respective fields:
    • Product / project management
    • Graphics & user interface design
    • Web development
    • App development
    • Data center operations
  • Two of the company's founders are active multi-sport racers
  • Webscorer Inc. is privately held, and is based in the Seattle area in Washington state, USA
  • For more information, visit our company info page
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Which devices does the Webscorer app run on?

  • The Webscorer app runs on the iOS and Android phones and tablets, on Windows devices and Mac computers
  • Minimum operating system version required: iOS 8.0 or later, Android 8.0 or later, Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later
  • Note that there are two versions of the iOS app - one for the iPhone, and another optimized for the bigger iPad screen
  • There is only one version of the Android app that auto-adjusts for the various screen sizes on phones & tablets
  • There is only one version of the Windows app that auto-adjusts for the various screen sizes
  • There is only one version of the Mac app that auto-adjusts for the various screen sizes
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Is a phone enough? When do I need a tablet?

  • The Webscorer app has the same design & functionality on both the phone and tablet versions
  • You can time any type of race with an iPhone or an Android phone, including chip-timing
  • A tablet is recommended for larger races for the following reasons:
    • More screen real estate to see more racer information
    • Bigger buttons, easier to see, easier to tap
    • More options visible right on the screen vs. behind menus
    • The racer-box view on a tablet shows up to 104 racers vs. 24 on a phone
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What sports does Webscorer support?

Webscorer can be used at any event where time determines the order of finish. Thus far, we've identified the following sports:
  • Adventure racing
  • Aquabike - swim and bike
  • Aquathon - swim and run
  • Cycling
  • Cycling - adaptive
  • Cycling - BMX
  • Cycling - cyclocross
  • Cycling - mtn cross-country
  • Cycling - mtn downhill
  • Cycling - mtn enduro
  • Cycling - road
  • Cycling - track
  • Dog racing
  • Duathlon - bike and run
  • Duathlon - run and shoot
  • Hiking
  • Horse racing
  • Ice-skating
  • Inline skating
  • Kiteboarding
  • Motor sports
  • Motor sports - auto
  • Motor sports - boat
  • Motor sports - dirt bike
  • Motor sports - motorcycle
  • Motor sports - snowmobile
  • Motor sports - truck
  • Multi-sport
  • Nordic walking
  • Orienteering
  • Paddling
  • Paddling - canoe
  • Paddling - dragon boat
  • Paddling - kayak
  • Paddling - outrigger
  • Paddling - paddleboard
  • Paddling - SUP
  • Paddling - SUP wing foil
  • Paddling - surfski
  • Pumptrack
  • Race walking
  • Rowing
  • Running
  • Running - cross-country
  • Running - hill
  • Running - obstacle course
  • Running - road
  • Running - stairs
  • Running - track
  • Running - trail
  • Sailing
  • Sailing - land
  • Skateboarding
  • Ski mountaineering
  • Skiing - biathlon
  • Skiing - cross-country
  • Skiing - downhill
  • Skiing - rollerskiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Snowshoeing
  • Soap box derby
  • Swimming - open water
  • Swimming - pool
  • Swimrun
  • Trekking
  • Triathlon
  • Wing foil racing
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Does Webscorer support languages other than English?

  • Yes, our strategy is to provide a fully localized experience for your racers, only the organizer is expected to know English
  • The website registration and results pages are presently available in 16 languages:
    • Chinese (中文)
    • Czech (Čeština)
    • Danish (Dansk)
    • Dutch (Nederlands)
    • English
    • Finnish (Suomi)
    • French (Français)
    • German (Deutsch)
    • Italian (Italiano)
    • Norwegian (Norsk)
    • Polish (Polski)
    • Portugese (Português)
    • Russian (Русский)
    • Slovenian (Slovenčina)
    • Spanish (Español)
    • Swedish (Svenska)
  • All the translations are done by volunteer race organizers who speak the local language natively
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I use a laptop-based timing system today. What advantages would Webscorer give me?

  • While Webscorer is mostly used on mobile phones and tablets, we now also offer a Windows version of the app that runs on Windows 10 laptops and Surface tablets, and a Mac version of the app that runs on any Mac with macOS 10.15 or later.
  • The two main drawbacks of laptop-based timing systems are that they require power and shelter
  • With laptop timing, race organizers may have to rig up a generator to provide power as laptop batteries don't last long, and bring a camper or setup a canopy to protect the laptop from rain or snow
  • Webscorer timing benefit summary:
    • Battery-life - most mobile devices have a 10-hour battery life and can be easily turned off to save battery when there's no race activity; the race clock keeps running
    • Weather-proof - we've timed races in pouring rain and at -18C weather - the touch-sensitive screen can be operated with a special stylus to allow the operator to keep gloves on, and you can use an umbrella to shelter from direct rain
    • Mobility - in a recent race, we rode our mountain bikes to a split station in the woods with an iPad in a back-pack, took split times and rode back to the finish line in time the racers completing the race
    • More features - depending on which laptop-based timing software you use today, Webscorer PRO will give you a host of new features and race options
    • Easier to use - Webscorer is designed to be much easier to use than today's laptop-based solutions, and can be operated by volunteers with minimal training
  • See the "Timing FAQ" below for more details
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I'm presently using chip-timing. Why would I care about Webscorer?

Webscorer PRO now includes support for RFID chip-timing, with the following benefits:
  • You can build your own chip-timing system from best-of-breed components:
    • RFID readers from Alien Technology, Honeywell / Intermec, Impinj, Motorola / Zebra, ThingMagic
    • Combine mat antennas, side antennas or overhead antennas from leading vendors
    • Purchase your RFID chips from any source
  • Your existing chip-timing equipment may be compatible with Webscorer PRO
    • All integrated systems embed one of the above RFID brands as part of their solution
    • If the reader is listed as supporting the LLRP protocol, it can be used with Webscorer
  • Webscorer chip-timing has been extensively tested in one of most challenging sports for timing - cyclocross
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I'm a racer, what benefits does Webscorer bring to me?

  • Your main gain will be much faster access to race results when the race is timed with Webscorer
  • This is because the Webscorer timing app supports a one-button method of posting the results immediately after the race - or even live, within seconds of each racer finishing
  • If there's no internet connectivity at the race site, the race organizer can beam the results to anyone's free Webscorer app via Bluetooth, even during the race by giving you a copy of the preliminary results
  • This allows anyone with the free Webscorer app to take the results "to go" with you from the race on your iOS or Android device
  • On Webscorer.com, you can make comments on the races, and create your own racer profile that highlights your own results
  • Racers tend to be our biggest fans and supporters, as they are be among the biggest beneficiaries
The author of this FAQ is an active racer in cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Here are some of the personal experiences that were key motivators for founding Webscorer:
  • Finishing a 3+ hour mountain bike race, and having to sit around another 3 hours before results were posted on the bulletin board (results processing problems & printer jammed)
  • Completing a 2+ hour cross-country ski race with the leading pack, but having to wait around for the tail-enders to finish in another 2 hours before the timers could start processing results (Excel-based timing system)
  • Participating in a regional mountain-biking race where the only results offered was order of finish by category; no timings were taken (reason cited was high cost for hiring a timing company)
  • Racing a cross-country skiing time trial on Tuesday evening, and having to wait for results to be posted until Friday afternoon (webmaster was away)
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Webscorer sounds great, but how can I be comfortable that it works as advertised?

  • We timed the first race with the app in October 2009: www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=55, and since then more than 45,000 races have been timed with the system
  • Webscorer is arguably the most widely used timing program today:
    • Webscorer PRO is used by thousands of race organizers in 70+ countries
    • Official results have been posted for more than 40 sports
  • Thanks to the wide-spread use, you benefit from all the real-world testing and bug reporting done by your colleagues
  • You can search for races that are similar to yours as follows:
    • Navigate to https://www.webscorer.com/findraces?pg=results
    • Use the “Sport” filter to find results in your own sport
    • Use the Map to narrow results to your country or locale
    • Choose “Search races by: Map / Sport / Date / Type” to find races that used specific features
  • We provide free, unlimited support over email & phone - try us at support@webscorer.com
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Do I have to use the Webscorer online registration system for my races if I want to use the Webscorer app for timing?

  • No - you’re free to use any registration system and still use Webscorer PRO for timing
  • Summary of reasons to consider Webscorer online reg: TOP-10-REASONS-TO-USE-WEBSCORER-ONLINE-REG
  • But if you're comfortable using another online registration system, you can continue to do so
  • You’d create your own start list from your reg data and post it to Webscorer.com, and then download it to the app
  • Instructions for creating a Webscorer PRO start list: Post start list from file
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How can I learn more about Webscorer without having to buy the app to evaluate it?

  • We'd encourage you to download the free Webscorer app, and play with it to learn the basics
  • The app is free to trial with no time limit. Only limited to max 5 racers
  • You can also view the documentation online, watch the PRO feature videos, and browse around on the Resources section of the website to learn more
  • We are very keen on hearing any objections, omissions or problems that would prevent prospective customers from adopting any part of our offering
  • If there's a reason you won't consider our offering, please tell us why and allow us to try to correct the deficiency
  • We recognize that our system is not suitable to serve all race organizing needs, but believe there should be something for everyone
  • Webscorer is designed to fit in, in part or in full - if you think it does not work for you, you can send us email at support@webscorer.com
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PRICING FAQ

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What does Webscorer race registration cost?

  • If you’re not charging an entry fee for your event, using Webscorer online registration is 100% free, unless used as a registration for a self-timed QR code race, or used as a registration for a virtual race where racers enter their time via racer profile
  • There is no upfront cost or monthly fees for setting up an online registration at Webscorer.com
  • With Webscorer reg, the participants will pay your own payment gateway account directly, Webscorer is not involved in the money flow
  • Supported payment gateway accounts include:
    • Stripe.com (25+ countries)
    • PayPal.com (40+ countries)
    • Authorize.net (US & Canada)
    • Square (8+ countries)
  • You can also accept payments via bank transfer and manually confirm payment via reg admin
  • Any credit card charges are deducted by your payment processor before depositing the balance to your account
  • The payment gateway fees vary depending on the gateway you use and the country where you operate
  • In the US, Stripe and Square charge 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction
  • In the US, PayPal charges 3.4% plus $0.30 per transaction
  • For events where you collect entry fees via the online reg, the Webscorer fee is USD $1 / paid entry
  • For registrations for a self-timed QR code race, the Webscorer fee is USD $1 / entry
  • For registrations for a virtual race where racers enter their time via racer profile, the Webscorer fee is USD $1 / entry
  • Volume discounts are available for large organizers
  • The Webscorer fee is due after the registration has closed and is payable to Webscorer's PayPal account
  • In other words, the organizer controls the 100% of the money flow, including refunds & paying the Webscorer fee
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What does Webscorer race timing cost?

  • The Webscorer app is a free download from Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore
  • All subscriptions include FREE unlimited email and phone support via support@webscorer.com
  • PRO Single-device timing is limited to 1 PRO device (iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac)
  • PRO Multi-device and PRO Chip timing include 5 PRO devices
    1. USD $75 / year for 5 additional devices
  • Subscriptions do not auto-renew
  • Features available in Multi-device timing subscription:
    1. Back-up timing with a 2nd device
    2. Use separate devices for start & finish
    3. Use one device for recording time stamps, another for recording bibs
    4. Use multiple devices to record multiple timing points on the same race
    5. Merge start lists over Bluetooth from multiple devices
    6. Use Bluetooth Flic button to tap time stamps
    7. Use Bluetooth barcode scanner to record bibs
  • Features available only in Chip timing subscription:
    1. RFID chip-timing
    2. NFC chip-timing
    3. Start gate & photocell support
    4. SPORTident chip timing
  • We recommend to use Webscorer online registration with Webscorer PRO timing - but this is optional
  • You can upload your non-Webscorer registration data as a CSV or XLS to file Webscorer.com
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What does Webscorer race results cost?

  • Posting results via file upload requires a PRO subscription
  • Posting start lists via file upload is FREE
  • Posting results via file upload or from the app requires a PRO subscription
  • Embedding posted results on your own website without any Webscorer insignia is available for a USD $75 / year
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Where can I download the iPad / iPhone apps?

  • The iOS apps are available from the Apple App Store
  • You can download the Webscorer app for free - just select whether you want to download the iPhone version or the iPad version
  • The iPhone version also runs on the iPod touch
  • Minimum iOS version is 8.0
  • If you want to subscribe to PRO, you'll do so by tapping the "Update subscription" option, available on the app's home panel
  • You may also purchase the PRO subscription from the Webscorer website under "Race organizers / PRO subscription"
  • Note that you can run both the iPhone and the iPad version on the iPad side-by-side, e.g. you can be timing a race with the iPad version, and checking results with the iPhone version on the same iPad
  • This allows the user to be able to check previous race results or download live results during the timing of a race
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Where can I download the Android app?

  • The Android app can be downloaded from the Google Play store for free
  • Get the Android app from Google play
  • The Android app can also be downloaded from the Amazon app store for free
  • Get the Android app from Amazon
  • If you want to subscribe to PRO, you'll do so by tapping the "Update subscription" option, available on the app's home panel
  • You may also purchase the PRO subscription from the Webscorer website under "Race organizers / PRO subscription"
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Where can I download the Windows app?

  • The Windows app can be downloaded from the Windows store for free
  • Get the Windows app
  • If you want to subscribe to PRO, you'll do so by tapping the "Update subscription" option, available on the app's home panel
  • You may also purchase the PRO subscription from the Webscorer website under "Race organizers / PRO subscription"
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The app pricing seems high compared to typical phone and tablet apps - how do you justify the value?

  • True, many apps are either free or cost a dollar or two, but note that basic Webscorer app is free - and includes a fully functional race timer, suitable for timing simple mass start races
  • The more appropriate comparison of the Webscorer PRO is to PC-based timing applications which typically cost $300-400 (USD) or more plus an annual support contract
  • The PRO subscription includes:
    • Install PRO on any device running iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS
    • Hosting your results on Webscorer.com
    • FREE unlimited email & phone support
    • No limit on number of racers or races
  • We are making a calculated bet that the aggressive pricing will make Webscorer PRO the de-facto standard for race timing
  • The pricing is designed to be "pay-as-you-go" to be affordable both for the occasional race organizer, as well as for the professional one
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The prices seem very low and there are a lot of freebies. How does Webscorer make money and stay in business?

  • Webscorer has 2 revenue sources - PRO subscription sales, and the fee we collect for paid online registration entries
  • We have made a conscious decision to opt for a high volume business model, and the entire platform is designed to scale to lots of organizers, races and racers
  • The aggressive pricing has already enabled us to sell PRO in thousands of subscriptions per year
  • Webscorer PRO is already in use across 50+ sports and in 100+ countries
  • Webscorer online registration (with entry fee payments) is already used in 20+ countries
  • The overall value of our offering is designed to encourage widespread use, and if anyone thinks our pricing will be a realistic detriment to this objective, we'd be interested in hearing any such justification
  • Thanks to the ease of use of the app and website, aggressive pricing, multi-sport focus, and worldwide availability, Webscorer is well on its way to becoming the de-facto standard for organizing timing-sport races
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REGISTRATION FAQ

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What are the key benefits of Webscorer race registration?

1. Immediate access to your entry fees
  • Racers pay your PayPal, Stripe, or Square account directly
  • You may also use your Authorize.net or PayPal Pro account in the US and Canada
  • No middleman sitting on your money and earning interest
2. Dramatically lower processing fees
  • No markups: your payment gateway of choice will deduct the actual credit card fees before depositing the rest on your account
  • When using PayPal or Stripe, you may also benefit from non-profit discounts and volume discounts
  • The Webscorer fee is just $1 / racer which you will pay us after the registration has closed
  • If you collect no entry fee, the registration service is totally free, except when used as a registration for a self-timed QR code race, or used as a registration for a virtual race where racers enter their time via racer profile
3. Integration with the Webscorer PRO timing app
  • If your timing is done with Webscorer PRO, the registration data is downloaded directly to the app
  • No need to download CSV or XLS files, or to have Excel skills to format registration data
  • Allows your registration to stay open longer, reducing day-of-race entries and hassles
4. High-end features, yet super easy to use
  • No need to talk to sales people, or form designers, you're in full control at every step
  • A single-page design, support for custom questions, multiple entry fee increases by date
  • Features include confirmation lists, waiting lists, discount codes, email your racers
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How does the Webscorer online registration work - and what is the user experience like?

  • During the registration setup, the race organizer specifies the account (PayPal, Stripe.com, Square, or other gateway) to receive all the entry fees
  • That's all we need in order to have racers pay the race organizer's account directly when registering for a race on Webscorer.com
  • We also support having racer's pay you by check or cash or direct bank transfer. You specify instructions to the racer, and confirm the registration when you receive payment
  • After the racer has filled out all the required fields, the racer will pay your own account directly, Webscorer never touches the money
  • The racer can choose to pay using the racer's own PayPal account (if you chose PayPal), or by using a credit card
  • Once the racer clicks to submit the payment, your payment gateway will process the payment, subtracts the credit card processing fee and directs the balance to your account
  • When using PayPal, PayPal charges the same fee for a payment made using a credit card, or for a payment made using a PayPal account (3.4% plus $0.30)
  • Stripe and Square charge 2.9% plus $0.30
  • Once the race has closed, we will invoice the race organizer for our own fee ($1 / racer), which the race organizer will pay to our PayPal account using a credit card or PayPal
  • The confirmed racer list is downloaded as a file, or downloaded directly to the device if the timing is done with Webscorer PRO
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If I use PayPal to accept payments, what kind of PayPal account do I need?

  • Race organizers need to have either a PayPal business account or a personal premier account
  • PayPal personal account can easily be upgraded to a personal premier account to be able to accept credit card payments
  • If you don't yet have a PayPal account, it's a relatively easy and quick process to apply for one online
  • A new PayPal account activiation typically takes 1-2 days
  • You can consider the Webscorer system like a customizable race registration shopping cart for your own races
  • Webscorer does not handle / touch the entry fees in any way, racers pay directly to your PayPal account
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If I want to use Square or Stripe to accept credit card payments, what do I need to do?

  • Race organizers with an existing Square or Stripe account can add their account info via reg setup on Webscorer
  • If you don't yet have a Square or Strop account, it's a relatively easy and quick process to apply for one online
  • A new Square or Stripe account activation can be done typically on the same day
  • You can consider the Webscorer system like a customizable race registration shopping cart for your own races
  • Webscorer does not handle / touch the entry fees in any way, racers pay directly to your Square or Stripe account
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I'm happy with my present online registration system - why should I consider Webscorer?

  • Here’s a summary of the benefits: TOP-10-REASONS-TO-USE-WEBSCORER-ONLINE-REG
  • The Webscorer online registration works differently from most other sites, the entry fees are deposited directly to your account
  • This gives you full control of your money, no waiting for checks to be sent and cashed or worries about when you get paid
  • Racers can pay via a credit card or with their own PayPal account (depending on your country, racers may also pay with their own bank account)
  • Just the actual credit card processing fees are deducted before the funds are deposited to your account
  • The Webscorer service fee is paid by you to our PayPal account after the completion of the race
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What are the service fees associated with Webscorer online registration when using PayPal or Stripe or Square?

  • Since PayPal/Stripe/Square handles all the credit card processing, all processing fees are charged by PayPal/Stripe/Square
  • The PayPal processing fees in the US are 3.4% of the entry fee + $0.30
  • The Stripe/Square processing fees in the US are 2.9% of the entry fee + $0.30
  • This structure allows us to keep our own fee at only $1 / racer (you'll pay the fee to us upon the completion of the race)
  • The total processing fees deducted from the entry fee are therefore just 2.9% or 3.4% + $1.30 per racer
  • The following table illustrates the pricing structure at various entry fees using the 2.9% + 0.30 fee schedule:
Entry Stripe/Square fee Webscorer fee To race organizer
$5.00 $0.45 $1.00 $3.56
$10.00 $0.59 $1.00 $8.41
$15.00 $0.74 $1.00 $13.27
$20.00 $0.88 $1.00 $18.12
$25.00 $1.03 $1.00 $22.98
$30.00 $1.17 $1.00 $27.83
$35.00 $1.32 $1.00 $32.69
$40.00 $1.46 $1.00 $37.54
$45.00 $1.61 $1.00 $42.40
$50.00 $1.75 $1.00 $47.25
$60.00 $2.04 $1.00 $56.96
$70.00 $2.33 $1.00 $66.67
$80.00 $2.62 $1.00 $76.38
$90.00 $2.91 $1.00 $86.09
$100.00 $3.20 $1.00 $95.80
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In which countries is Webscorer online registration available?

  • The paid registration option is available worldwide, only limited by the available payment options in your country
  • You can use Webscorer online reg combined with direct bank transfers in any country
    • You’ll provide instructions how to pay the entry fee directly to your bank account
    • Racer registers for your event, registration is added to the “Payment pending” list
    • Once you confirm that you have received the payment, you’ll manually “Confirm payment” in reg admin
  • For automatic confirmation of credit card payments:
    • PayPal is available in 40+ countries
    • Stripe.com is available in 25+ countries, and is actively adding more countries
    • Square.com is available in 8+ countries, and is actively adding more countries
    • In the US and Canada you can also use:
      • Authorize.net
      • PayPal Pro
  • Note that the credit card processing fees vary from country to country, check you're local site for the fee schedule and available volume discounts
  • The Webscorer fee (USD $1 / racer) applies worldwide, and is payable in US currency using a credit card or your own PayPal account
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TIMING FAQ

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What are the key benefits of Webscorer race timing?

1. Mobile timing solution
  • Webscorer PRO runs on an iPad or an iPhone or an Android phone or tablet, eliminating the need for laptops and generators
  • Start and finish line can be anywhere, and split-time stations can be located in between
  • Racers can view results on their smart phones, eliminating the need for paper and printers
2. Fraction of the cost of PC-based timing software
  • The timing app is priced at just $60 / year subscription and includes unlimited races
  • The subscription allows using multiple devices in single race, which could involve multiple timing stations
  • Posting live results to Webscorer.com is included in the price
3. Live / instant results
  • Results are posted to Webscorer.com within seconds of each racer finishing
  • Racers and spectators can view the live results on Webscorer.com
  • If there's no cell connectivity, results can be shared via Bluetooth to another tablet or smart phone running Webscorer PRO. Note that using Bluetooth to share between an Android device and an Apple device does not work
  • The timer's device can be used to show results during the race when there's a break in action
4. High-end features, yet super easy to use
  • Flexible start types, multiple distances, multiple categories
  • Support for taking lap times, split times, timing multi-stage races
  • Innovative view to score racers with a graphical view, or with the traditional keypad
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I heard Webscorer has "3 rules for successful timing" - what are they?

The 3 rules are as follows:

1. Ensure that you have an accurate start list
  • Every racer is included on the start list
  • Each racer is set to be racing the correct distance & category
  • All racers have been given the correct bib number
  • The racers start with the correct wave / interval
2. Try not to make a mistake during the timing
  • If you have a clean start list, most timing problems are typically operator errors
  • Successfully timing a race requires laser-like concentration and a working knowledge about the software
  • Make sure you have the right type of finish line setup: Good visibility, organized finish chute, preferably an uphill finish
  • Have help available to call out bibs and to record bibs on a piece of paper as backup
3. If you do make a mistake, know how to fix it
  • If you followed rule 1 and 2, you can skip over this section :)
  • However, most timers will make at least one mistake or encounter an unexpected situation during any given race
  • A mistake can cascade into a bigger problem unless you know how to fix it or postpone dealing with it
  • Each situation typically requires a slightly different response, so this is where knowledge / experience is helpful
  • The app has many built-in safeguards, but it won't automatically do the timing for you!
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What are the typical timing errors - and how does Webscorer handle them?

Here's a sampling of some of the most common error situations that can happen during the race - and what to do about them:

1. When operating the “Fast-tap view”, you tapped one time stamp too many
  • Tap the left-most yellow “Seq” number for the extra time stamp
  • Choose "Cancel time" from the pop-up
2. You tapped one time stamp too few
  • Tap an extra time stamp, then tap the yellow "Time" field and adjust the time to when you believe you missed the time stamp
3. You were 5 seconds late tapping the time stamp
  • Tap the right-most yellow "Time" field, and subtract 5 seconds using the time editor that pops up
4. In the “Keypad view”, you entered the wrong bib number
  • Tap the bib # field and edit the number entered with the keypad
  • In the racer box view, tap the yellow bib number field, then in the pop-up choose "Swap bib" and choose the correct racer box
5. In “Keypad view”, you entered a bib number that's not on the start list
  • The app will give you a popup telling you this
  • First, check that you entered the bib number correctly
  • The popup gives you a choice to edit the bib number or to record the bib number as "No Bib"
  • Ask for the racer's name, distance, category and write this data down on a piece of paper to be dealt with later
  • Two possibilities: either this racer was missed from the start list, or the racer was given the wrong bib number at check-in
  • In the case of a missing racer, simply add the racer's missing details (name, distance, category) to the results
  • In the case of a wrong bib number, find out from the start list what this racer's correct bib number was and change the bib number next to the time stamp to that number instead
6. You entered a bib number that was already entered earlier
  • The app will give you a popup telling you this
  • First, check that you entered the bib number correctly
  • If the number is correct, the problem is that you entered a wrong bib number earlier
  • The pop-up gives you a choice to edit the bib number, or to record this bib number to this time stamp, and assign "No Bib" to the earlier time stamp
  • You'll need to find out the correct bib number for the earlier entry, but you can deal with that later
  • Note that in a race with multiple laps, the app will allow the same bib number to be entered as many times as there are laps
7. You entered a bib number that has not yet started
  • The app will give you a popup telling you this
  • First, check that you entered the bib number correctly
  • Two possibilities: you missed starting the wave in which this racer started in, or the racer started in the wrong wave
  • If you missed starting the wave, you can go back to "Race Start" and start the wave using a race clock adjustment (e.g. wave started 48 minutes ago)
  • If the racer started in the wrong wave, you can either make a manual adjustment to the racer's time, or in a custom wave start, you can simply edit the assigned wave in the "Racer Info" for this racer
8. Racer is classified in a wrong distance or category in the results
  • This could be a start list error, or the racer decided during the race to change distance and forgot to tell the timers
  • Simply go to "Racer Info" panel for this racer and adjust the distance or category
  • The racer will be automatically reclassified into the correct distance or category
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When timing a race with Webscorer, what do you recommend as a backup?

  • Best backup is an assistant who writes down bib numbers (or names if bibs are not used) on a piece of paper, in the order of finish
  • The assistant should also write down an occasional time stamp next to the bib number, whenever there's time to do so
  • If something goes horribly wrong with the Webscorer timing, the paper copy can be used to reconstruct the entire race
  • Each time stamp on the Webscorer app is assigned a sequence # that can be used to cross-reference the bibs written down on paper
  • We're providing printable Bib recording sheets for download that have the “Seq #" box already printed on them
  • The pen and paper backup will double up as an useful assistant for getting bib numbers correctly for group finishes
  • This allows the app operator to focus on getting accurate time stamps for each finisher, and the bib recorder to focus on getting correct bib numbers
  • In larger races, the bib recorder can use another copy of Webscorer PRO in the “Bib sync" timing mode in lieu of pen and paper
  • This has the advantages of being able to pass the bibs recorded electronically (via an internet connection or via Bluetooth), reducing errors and helping to to keep up with the finishers
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How many people does it take to time a race with Webscorer?

  • In smaller races, or races where there are no group finishes, a single person can handle the entire timing
  • But for backup reasons and to be ready to handle tight finishes, we recommend a 2-person crew
  • One person operates the app on their device and the 2nd person writes down the bib numbers on a piece of paper
  • The assistant can also double up as a finish line judge for tight finishes and provide relief for the timer when a biology break is needed during a long race
  • If you're recording lap times, it's often useful to have a 3rd person calling out the bib numbers so that the bib recorder can focus on just writing down bibs
  • In larger races, you may need additional people managing the finish line area to ensure the racers who've finished stay in the finish order until their bibs are recorded
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If Webscorer is so easy to use, can anyone successfully time a race with it?

  • It’s useful to recognize that some are naturally comfortable operating a touch screen device and any software, while others are not
  • We’ve found that younger volunteers (e.g. teenagers) do better than older ones
    • Teenagers are comfortable with touch screen devices
    • Teenagers are better at multi-tasking
    • Teenagers don’t get nervous under pressure
    • Teenagers can think and act more quickly
  • Ability to be calm under pressure helps as you can't stop racers and ask them to wait if you run into an issue during the timing
  • We would not recommend anyone timing a race with Webscorer without playing with the app first
  • Setting up the race is part requiring more Webscorer expertise whereas timing is the easier task, relatively speaking
  • We've observed several race directors do the setup for the race, start the race and then hand the device to a volunteer to record finishers
  • We've seen rookie operators successfully timing races with 200+ racers, with less than 5 minutes of pre-race training
  • This goes back to the 3 rules above - if you have a clean start list and don't make mistakes, timing will be easy
  • Most users seem to do well if they've run a practice race (or two) with the app and watched our online training videos
  • Learning how to deal with the unexpected and knowing how to undo your own operator errors requires experience and knowledge
  • The key is to learn how to postpone dealing with a timing issue as there's little time to pause to figure things out in the middle of the race
  • The app is designed to automate handling of most errors, which you can then worry about later
  • It's also handy to have the assistant (with pen and paper) available to write down notes about issues, so they can be dealt with later
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Do I need to give my racers bib numbers in order to time the race with Webscorer?

  • No, Webscorer allows any race to be timed without bib numbers
  • You can do this even in a bigger race where you may not know everyone by their name
  • A start list will include each racer's name and optionally also the distance, category, start time / wave, age, team name (but no bib number)
  • In a names-only race, you'd operate Webscorer in the fast-tap view, which allows you to separately record the time stamp and racer name
  • As there is no time limit when the racer name has to be entered for each time stamp, this allows the names to be recorded separately
  • You can have one person on the finish line operating the app, recording time stamps only
  • A second person stops the racer after crossing the finish line, and asks for their name, writes it down on a piece of paper
  • Whenever there's a break in finishing action, the name recorder tells the timer the names off the list
  • The timer picks the name by tapping the racer-box in the same order of finish as recorded on the piece of paper
  • We have found this to work well in interval and individual start races, where group finishes are less frequent than in mass / wave starts
  • You can use the same recording sheets as we've referenced earlier for bibs for recording racer names - the sequence number is used in both cases
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What size race is suitable to time with an phone - before you'd recommend a tablet?

  • The short answer is that the size of race is not the main reason to use a tablet vs. a phone, unless you're using names only (no bib numbers)
  • This is because it's often most efficient to operate Webscorer in the fast-tap view with the keypad visible
  • In this view, you'll tap a time stamp and then key in the bib number for that time stamp (or vice versa - pre-enter the bib number, then tap the time stamp)
  • This view is identical on the phone or the tablet, the only difference is the size of the buttons and the keypad keys
  • A person with big fingers may find the phone version keypad a bit small, but a handy workaround for this is to use a stylus instead of a finger to tap
  • We do recommend using a tablet due to the bigger keys and the fact that results pages have space to display more information than on the phone
  • But a phone is perfectly suitable for timing a race of any size, including a chip-timing race
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What's important about the finish area in order to ensure a successful timing effort?

  • Having good organization and fencing around the finish area is key to make timing work well in a larger race
  • In a busy race it's important that the finish line is well managed so that no one can escape without having their bib recorded
  • Also important is to keep the incoming racers in the same order as they crossed the finish line for recording the bib numbers
  • Keep in mind that the two key objectives is to get accurate time stamps for each racer and to record the bib numbers in the correct finish order
  • Note that there's no time limit for combining these two to form the results - this can be done even at the end of the race
  • Anyone who crosses the finish line should get a time stamp recorded (as you can't always see the bib and verify the person is a racer)
  • Consequently, everyone who crossed the finish line should get recorded in the bib recording sheets (or on the 2nd device used to record bibs)
  • If the person ended up not being in the race, or had already previously crossed the finish line (did it again with a friend), then a "No Bib" should be recorded for that sequence number
  • This will ensure that the number of time stamps and the number of bibs recorded match with one another
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I am organizing a 5k race with 300 runners, can I use Webcorer manual timing - or will I need Webscorer chip-timing?

  • With a well-organized finish chute, a race this size should not pose a challenge to recording bibs in finish order
  • The limiting factor will be whether the person recording time stamps can accurately keep up with the incoming racers
  • Here's the biggest 5 km run we've seen timed successfully with Webscorer PRO (454 racers): Panther Prowl 5k
  • We've timed a half-marathon with 1,031 runners, where there were 808 finishers with finish times from 1:30:00 to 2:30:00, for an average of 135 racers / 10 minutes
  • Our experience was that recording time stamps was not yet a challenge at this rate of finishers
  • Tips to help keep the time stamp recording accurate at busy finishes:
    • Use a 2-person crew, one recording the time stamps with the app, another to use a mechanical tally counter to ensure the correct number of time stamps is entered
    • The app operator should use ear buds; each time the timer button is tapped, an audible click is heard to help verify a tap was recorded
    • From time to time, the bib recording team and the time stamp team should compare notes to ensure both are at the same sequence number
    • Even if the time stamp operator is not responsible for recording bibs, it's a good habit to record an occasional bib number whenever possible
    • These occasional bibs can be used as a reference point when combining the bibs with the time stamps, to root out any possible errors and mistakes
  • The easiest way to ensure a successful timing effort is to break the start into two or more waves that start 5-10 minutes apart
    • The most practical wave start is male / female waves (easy to verify no one is in the wrong wave)
    • This will help reduce the incoming rate of finishers so that recording times and bib numbers is more manageable
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The ultra-running event we organize lasts 12+ hours but the device battery is good only for 10. What can I do?

  • The device needs to be turned on only when recording finishers, you can turn it off when there's no activity (note: the race clock keeps running)
  • You don't need to start the race on the app until just before your first expected finishers start arriving (with a race clock adjustment)
  • Many new cars come with an AC power plug so you can charge the device without a generator
  • If you are still worried about running out of battery, we'd recommend a 2nd device as follows:
    • Before you start the race, transfer the start list to another device running Webscorer (via Webscorer.com or via Bluetooth)
    • Start the race simultaneously on both devices (make sure that the backup device is not set to do live results)
    • If towards the end of the race, you get close to running out of battery on your primary device, switch to recording racers on your backup
    • Without finishing the race, turn off your primary device, it's ok if the battery died before you had time to do so (no data is lost)
    • Finish recording racers' times and bib numbers on the backup device, but don't tap "Finish race" after everyone is in
    • Once you've had a chance to plug in or charge your primary device, copy the data from your backup device to the primary as follows
    • Simply enter a time stamp on the primary, edit it to match the data on the backup and tap the bib number for that edited time stamp
    • Once you've completed replicating all entries, you can finish the race on both devices
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I want to use Webscorer for a triathlon and provide times for the swim, run and bike segments - can I do it?

  • The short answer is yes
  • It is possible to record all three segments using a single device by defining the race as having 3 laps
  • This may work for small events where the transition areas and the finish line are all in the same location
  • However, in most events the transition areas are often far apart and there's too much activity for one person to record all times
  • The recommended setup is to use 3 devices running Webscorer PRO operating together in the timing mode called "Multi-device splits"
  • This allows all 3 devices to update the same race, while each is focused only timing a particular segment (lap)
  • The devices can be either iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac devices
  • Internet connection is not required for timing, but if it's available, live results will show timings from all devices
  • Without an internet connection during the race, the combined results will be available when each device posts the results to Webscorer.com, or when combined via Bluetooth to a another device running Webscorer PRO
  • Each device is effectively timing a 1-lap race, and once setup, the timing operation will look the same as timing a race with a single device
  • It pays to plan the timing stations such that racers are forced to enter through a narrow chute or some similar area where recording bibs will be easier
  • Details: HOW-TO-TIME-A-RACE-WITH-SPLITS-WITH-MULTIPLE-DEVICES
  • The blog will soon also include instructions how to time a triathlon with Webscorer chip-timing
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Can Webscorer be used for a race where the combined time from 2 runs determines the winner?

  • You'd setup this race as having 3 laps, but you'd further define that lap 2 does not count towards total time
  • Lap 1 will be the first run, lap 2 is the "transition time" between the runs and lap 3 is the second run
  • In the results, lap 2 time is discarded and the total time is lap 1 and lap 3 times added together to determine the winner
  • You can also see separate lap time rankings for lap 1 and lap 3 which are the two runs
  • The start type for for the 1st run can be any of the supported formats (interval start, wave start, mass start)
  • The start of the 2nd run can be either individual start (racer starts when ready), or a mass start (an option via "Race control" / "Lap control")
  • The most practical way to run this event would be with 2 devices using the "Multi-device splits" timing mode:
    • Device #1 is at the start and will start the racers for lap 1 and lap 3 (note that recording a lap time for lap 2 is the same as starting the racer for lap 3)
    • Device #2 is at the finish and will record lap 1 and lap 3 times for the racers
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Would you recommend manual timing or chip timing for a Cyclocross race?

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Can Webscorer be used for an enduro event where there are timed stages and transition stages?

  • Yes, a feature called "Exclude laps" allows you to define the race as a point-to-point race with laps, and define that certain laps (transitions between stages) don't count toward the total time
  • For example, let's consider an enduro race with 3 timed stages and 2 transition stages in between
  • The winner is determined by combining the times from the 3 timed stages together
  • You'd setup this race as a 5-lap race, and further define that laps 2 and 4 don't count toward total time
  • If some of the checkpoints are the same, the same device can be used to time multiple laps
  • Note that this setup allows you to record the arrival at the checkpoints separately, which is sometimes used to calculate possible penalty minutes
  • A total of 6 devices running Webscorer PRO would be required to time this race:
    • Device #1 is used to time the start (stage 1 start)
    • Device #2 is used to time lap 1 (stage 1 finish)
    • Device #3 is used to time lap 2 (stage 2 start)
    • Device #4 is used to time lap 3 (stage 2 finish)
    • Device #5 is used to time lap 4 (stage 3 start)
    • Device #6 is used to time lap 5 (stage 3 finish)
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When do you recommend Webscorer manual timing vs. Webscorer chip timing?

  • There are races where chip timing is the only practical solution (e.g. a marathon with 5,000 runners)
  • There are also races where manual timing is the only sensible / cost-effective method (e.g. a paddling race with 100 racers)
  • Chip timing has two key benefits:
    • Ability to capture times for a large number of racers finishing close together
    • A way to record an individual "chip time" for each racer which is useful in races where it may take several minutes for some racers to roll over the start line
  • However, chip timing adds cost and complexity to the setup
  • The RFID reader and antenna setup costs a minimum of USD $1000
  • Reusable chips cost USD $5 each
  • It requires more technical expertise to setup the system prior to race
  • The general rule is:
  • If the race can be timed manually, then stick with manual timing
  • Use chips when you must
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How can Webscorer handle a big race where it takes several minutes to roll across the start line?

  • To compensate for the delay for racers to roll across the start line in large races, one option is to start racers in waves
  • The field gets divided into manageable "waves" and each wave is started with enough separation to allow everyone to race at full speed from the start
  • The wave grouping can be by distance, category or custom groups based on ranking or other criteria
  • The app will automatically record the unique start time for each racer, which then gets adjusted off the finish time automatically
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What size race is practical to time with Webscorer manual timing?

  • With experienced operators, Webscorer does not have a fixed upper limit for a number of racers it can handle - the key is the expected rate of finishers
  • For example, a 100 meter dash with just 8 runners would not be suitable to be timed with the app
  • However, an ultra-marathon with 1,000 participants where runners arrive over a span of several hours would present no challenge to Webscorer
  • The largest race we've timed with Webscorer thus far was a cross-country mountain biking race with 827 finishers: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=1399
  • Here's the biggest 5 km run we've seen timed with Webscorer PRO Single-device timing (454 racers): Panther Prowl 5k
  • Searching for results at Webscorer.com provides a good sampling of what types and sizes of races have been timed to date
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How does Webscorer PRO handle large races?

  • For races that can’t be timed manually, Webscorer PRO now supports RFID chip-timing
  • But there are several ways to scale manual timing to races with hundreds, and potentially thousands of racers
  • “Timing node = Bib sync" mimics the well-established manual timing technique of recording time stamps and bib numbers separately, then combining them in the same sequence
  • This allows the person recording finish times to focus on just getting accurate time stamps for each racer - while a second person records the bib numbers in the order of finish
  • The limiting factor is recording time stamps for each racer in busy finishes (with a simple tap on the screen) - but we've found this to work well even when racers arrive in bunches of 4-5 together
  • The bib recorder is not rushed as there's no time limit to get the bibs recorded - provided the finish chute is well organized
  • The bibs and the time stamps can be combined via Bluetooth or via cellular connection, eliminating the errors often encountered when transcribing hand-written entries
  • Here’s another way to scale manual timing to practically any size race: HOW-TO-SCALE-MANUAL-TIMING-TO-BIGGER-RACES
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Can Webscorer provide split times for my athletes in an interval start race?

  • Yes - while Webscorer was designed as a general-purpose race timing app, we've paid special attention to make it also the best split-timing solution around
  • There are several unique features that should prove very useful for coaches giving their athletes splits along the course
    • Easy import of race start lists via a file upload, or a quick way to create a start list from scratch on the app
    • Race organizers (or other coaches) can publish start lists on Webscorer.com, saving others the time and effort of race setup work
    • Ability to do "live split times", where other team coaches can see the split times you take within seconds on their own Webscorer app
    • Immediate display for time back off the leader and rank for the present lap
    • The iPad and Android tablet version of Webscorer will also display the most recent lap time
    • Split times arranged by distance and category in a multi-distance, multi-category race
    • Quick way to review status and rank for each lap for each racer
  • The split-timing feature was developed in cooperation with cross-country ski coaches from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada
  • This feature was first used at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics 15 km cross-country race by a national team coach
  • The split timing feature has been field tested at hundreds of interval start races in multiple countries, including the cross-country skiing World Cup circuit
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What happens if the timing program crashes in the middle of the race?

  • App crashes should be rare but if one happens, your race data is safe
  • Unlike typical PC programs, smart phone and tablet apps are designed to be resilient to user, system and app errors
  • Even if the app crashes you can simply restart the app - timer will keep running and the app status is unchanged
  • The app saves races and race setups on your behalf - so there's never a need to remember to save your work
  • The most recent race setup is always kept in memory, easy to return to after navigating elsewhere on the app
  • By posting results to Webscorer.com, you'll have a server-based backup of all your races
  • Should you lose your device or replace it, there's no data to copy over, you can simply download your own races back to your new device
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What if I get a phone call while the app is timing a race?

  • No problem - the app is programmed to allow you to take the call without interrupting the race
  • You can also place a call while the race is in progress
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What if I need to switch to another app during a race?

  • No problem, you can switch to another app (such as the browser or mail), and return to the Webscorer app when convenient - the race clock keeps running
  • The Webscorer app can be killed from memory and upon restart, the app will continue where you left off
  • You can even restart the whole device without losing your race setup, the race clock will resume as if nothing happened
  • Even if the app crashes, it is programmed to recall its last known state and you can restart it to continue with no data lost
  • You can also turn the power off (to standby mode) when there's no race action, a good idea to save the battery in a long race
  • See this BLOG article for special considerations when chip-timing a race: HOW-TO-SETUP-WEBSCORER-PRO-FOR-RFID-CHIP-TIMING
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What are the differences between the iPhone and iPad versions of Webscorer PRO?

Both versions have the same design, perform the same functions, and are interoperable, but the iPhone's screen size limits its features as follows:
  • You'll see more racers, racer information, results and other data per screen vs. having to scroll down on the iPhone
  • The iPad has room to show racers' distance and category information on the start list panel vs. just the racer name for the iPhone
  • All text, buttons, racer boxes and other on-screen items are 50-100% bigger on the iPad
  • When finishing racers with bibs in "Fast-tap view", the iPad can show 72 racer boxes vs. 12 for the iPhone
  • When finishing racers without bibs in "Fast-tap view", the iPad can show 36 racer boxes, vs. 6 for the iPhone
  • When finishing racers using the "Fast-tap view" with the keypad, the keypad is bigger and hence easier to operate on the iPad
  • On an iPhone, accessing some toolbar buttons require tapping an additional arrow vs. direct access on the iPad
  • To view full racer or results data on the iPhone sometimes requires tapping an additional button
  • The iPhone can edit finish times up to 99:59:59.9 whereas the iPad can handle times up to 999:59:59.9
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What are the differences between between the Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac versions of Webscorer PRO?

All versions have the same design, perform the same functions, and are interoperable (except for Bluetooth):
  • The Android and Windows apps work in landscape mode as well as portrait mode, where as the iOS app works only in portrait mode
  • The Windows and Mac apps allow resizing of the screen
  • Windows version supports direct USB connections from external timer devices (such as ALGE Timy3) whereas in iOS and Android you must use a serial-to-WiFi adapter
  • Windows version allows you to open local XLSX, CSV and tab-delimited TXT start list files, whereas iOS and Android versions support opening of local tab-delimited TXT files only
  • Mac version allows you to open local CSV and tab-delimited TXT start list files, whereas iOS and Android versions support opening of local tab-delimited TXT files only.
  • Bluetooth connections work only from Android-to-Android, Android-to-Windows, Windows-to-Windows, iOS-to-iOS, and iOS-to-macOS
  • If you need to share a start list from iOS app to the Android or Windows app, you can do so by posting to Webscorer.com from iOS app and downloading it from there to Android or Windows app
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How many people do I need to time races with Webscorer?

  • One person can handle the timing in any race where the incoming finishers are sufficiently spaced apart that there's no rush for the timer to be able to record both the time stamp and the bib number
  • However, in most races, you'll want to have one person operating the app, and an assistant writing down bib numbers in the order of finish as backup (with occasional time stamps written down just in case)
  • In larger races or busy finishes, we recommend splitting the time recording and bib recording function to be handled by two devices, with “Timing mode = Bib sync” and a well-organizer finish chute
  • If the bib recording gets very busy, it's useful have a third person calling out the bib numbers or helping the bib recorded to read the bib # off the finishers
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Do I need a power source at the race site?

  • Usually not, but it depends on the battery life of your device and the length of your race
  • We've yet to run into a race situation where we've run out of battery with our timing device
  • We've timed races with up to 8 hours of continuous use and still had 15-20% of the battery left
  • However, if you’re timing a 12-hour or a 24-hour race, you’ll want to keep your timing device charged up
  • Battery-saving tips:
    • Always start with a fully loaded battery at 100%
    • Turn the device off when not in use (even during the race)
    • Dim down the screen brightness if possible
    • Turn off WiFi unless needed
    • If you're not using Bluetooth or cellular during the race, turn the device into "Airplane mode" to save battery (the radio-frequency features are silent power-consumers)
    • You could run the pre-race setup with one device, then transfer the start list to another device via Bluetooth or cellular that will be used to time the race, which would have full 100% left
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What kind of device do you recommend?

  • The Webscorer app will never create enough data to consider getting more than the basic (16GB) amount of storage memory
  • Even if you run lots of races and download even more, you'll collect at most a few MB worth of race data on the device
  • A WiFi-only version of a tablet is ok, you can use your phone as a WiFi hotspot for your tablet
  • A cellular version may be more convenient to download the online registration list and time the race with "LIVE" results
  • A higher-end device will be quicker to download and post results for a very large race (such as www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=1493 with 9,901 racers)
  • This is due to the faster processor in later models which speeds up the writing the data to the local database
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Will the app work if I don't have internet connectivity?

  • The app does not require internet connectivity to time a race
  • You can do the full setup, timing and results processing on the app, plus share the results via Bluetooth to racers' Webscorer apps, all without an internet connection
  • You need an internet connection only to download the start list or registration list from Webscorer.com before the race and to post the results to Webscorer.com after the race
  • An internet connection is required for LIVE results
  • Note that Bluetooth can be used for the bib sync / name sync function in Webscorer PRO if internet connection is not available
  • You can also time a “Timing mode = Multi-device splits” without an internet connection, and combine the results via Bluetooth as an alternative to posting the results from each device to Webscorer.com
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The LIVE results feature sounds intriguing - how does it work?

  • The LIVE results feature requires that the device running Webscorer PRO has an active internet connection
  • This can be WiFi or a cellular connection
  • Setup is simple - you'll set an option called "Post live results = On" on the app during the race setup
  • When the race starts, the app post the racer list to Webscorer.com - and your race will be listed as a "LIVE" race on the Webscorer.com home page
  • Your own race organizer page and the “Find results” page auto-refreshes every 60 seconds in case you publish one of these URLs to your racers as a way to find the results when the race starts and the initial status is posted
  • Once your race appears on the list, you'll click on the green race name
  • The LIVE results page auto-refreshes itself every 60 seconds
  • As racers complete a lap or finish the race, the app sends an immediate update to the website database
  • The website will display the update on its next 60 second refresh interval
  • You can also refresh the LIVE results manually to get more frequent updates
Racers, spectators and fans can also follow a live race with the free Webscorer app in a similar way:
  • Tap "Download races", tap "Recent races" and based on the sport and location filters find the race which will have a red "LIVE" label
  • Tap the race to download it, and then navigate to the distance / category results panel they're interested in following
  • The results refresh automatically - no need to re-download the results to get the latest finishers to show up
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How much data does a LIVE race consume of my cellular data plan?

  • The biggest race we've timed as a LIVE race has 827 finishers - www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=1399
  • The fastest racer completed the race in 2.5 hours, while the last racer came in 4 hours later
  • The total amount of cellular data consumed by the main timing device was 12 MB
  • This consisted of live results updates sent to Webscorer.com, as well as receiving bib numbers from the other device used as the bib recording device
  • For watching a live race on your phone running the free Webscorer app, the amount of cellular data will be significantly less (in most cases less than 1 MB):
    • You're unlikely to watch the race live for the full 4 hours it took us to time it
    • The timing app will post updates whenever new timing data is created, whereas the results app will check the website for results updates once every 30 seconds
  • We allow the app user to control the refresh interval to be sensitive to the amount of data downloaded in a very large race
  • Default refresh interval is 30 seconds, but this can be changed to 10 or 60 seconds, or the automatic refresh can be turned off entirely
  • For small races with a few hundred racers the amount of data transferred during the race is negligible (1-2 MB at the most)
  • Following a race on the Webscorer app is much more data-efficient than checking race results on the website using a browser
  • A web page includes all sorts of overhead items that are not required with the app that's getting just the data downloaded
  • Each local view on the app (e.g. checking various category results, searching for a particular racer by sorting the results list by name) does not go back to the website to get information, saving cellular data in the process
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I am getting strange behavior with the iPhone / iPad app, what can I do?

  • All apps that have ever been launched on an iPhone or iPad will stay in memory until cleaned up
  • The way to clean your running programs list is to kill them from memory, or restart your device (reboot)
  • Unless periodically cleaned up, eventually the system will run into memory problems which can cause random behavior
  • There's no harm stopping running apps as restarting the app will bring you back to where you left off
  • Steps to clean up the running apps list on an iPad / iPhone:
    • Exit any app you may be running
    • Double-tap the device's Home button
    • You'll get a list of all running apps on the screen
    • Swipe each app up to kill it from memory
  • We've seen a few cases where there were 40+ running apps on an iPad, some app panels would no longer load
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I am getting strange behavior with the Android app, what can I do?

  • All apps that have ever been launched on an Android phone or tablet will stay in memory until either manually cleaned up or terminated by the system due to memory constraints
  • Although the system will terminate unused apps when it is running low on resources, it is a good idea to periodically terminate apps that have not been used for a while
  • Unless periodically cleaned up, eventually the system will run into memory problems which can cause random behavior
  • It's a good idea to clean up the running app list once in a while
  • It is also a good idea to regularly restart you Android device
  • There's no harm stopping running apps as restarting the app will bring you back to where you left off
  • Steps to clean up the running apps list on an Android device depends on the Android version and device manufacturer
    • The easiest way to kill unused apps is to install a "Task Killer" or similar free app from the Google Play Store
    • Or restart the Android device by pressing the power button until you get a popup to confirm restart
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Can I use the app in direct sunlight, in the rain, or in –20C weather?

  • Most devices are very resilient to weather conditions but a few guidelines are in order
  • Don't let the screen get wet, this will reduce the sensitivity of the touch screen and you may get inadvertent taps
  • If the screen gets wet, first turn the device off (to standby mode), use a paper towel to dry the screen and turn it back on
  • Wiping the screen dry without first at least exiting the app may cause a tap that you did not intend to make
  • Don't expose the screen to direct sunlight for vey long, this can heat up the device and it will shut down due to an internal heat sensor
  • Shade the screen with your body, with an umbrella or by operating it under a canopy
  • In cold weather, it's a good idea to use a case that will help insulate the battery from the cold temperatures
  • You can use a specific device stylus to help you keep gloves on in extreme temperatures
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RESULTS FAQ

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What are the key benefits of Webscorer race results?

1. Mobile results solution
  • Webscorer PRO comes built-in with a feature to post results to Webscorer.com with one tap
  • You can also post results to Webscorer.com via file upload
  • Once you post your results to Webscorer.com, they're immediately available for viewing using a browser
2. Save time and money in processing and posting results
  • Posting results from Webscorer PRO is included in the PRO subscription price
  • Save time and effort in coming up with separate category results, allow Webscorer to produce them for you
  • Webscorer.com is designed to scale to practically any size race, we have results with 10,000 racers on our site
3. Racers will appreciate the results presentation
  • Winners table showing each category winner on a summary page
  • Allows anyone to download the results as .TXT file for personal archives
  • Racers can order results by "gun time", or by "chip time"
  • Allows racers to leave comments and add the race to their own racer profile
4. High-end features, yet super easy to use
  • Show race location on a map, custom photo or logo, your own name and website
  • Easy to search for races by sport, by location, by race name or racer name
  • Race series tool supports automatic calculation for stage races totals and calculating race series points
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I see you can post results to Webscorer.com from a file upload - why would I do that?

  • Have you ever timed a race, had the results on your computer all typed up, but can't get your webmaster to cooperate to post the results in a timely manner?
  • Or perhaps you don't have a website to post to - and the best you can do is to email the results around?
  • Or you've got the results in an Excel format, but simply don't have the time to create the category results, calculate the places or arrange the results by distance?
  • Webscorer offers solutions for all of these scenarios. See the following question for a list of additional potential advantages.
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What benefits do I get from posting my results via file upload to Webscorer.com instead of to my usual website?

  • Modern / graphical look and feel
  • Automatic distance / overall / category results separation
  • "Winners" table in a distance / category race
  • Built-in race pace calculation
  • Built-in "% back” and “% winning time” calculation
  • For a race with laps, additional "Show laps", "Race review" and "Lap times" views
  • Inclusion of race photo (or sport-specific stock photo)
  • Permits racers to make comments on the race
  • Allows racers to add the race results to their own "My racer profile"
  • Easily find racers via sorting by bib / name
  • Allows anyone to download race results as a XLS file
  • High-performance servers make it practical to upload even the biggest races (example race with 9,901 racers:www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=1493)
  • Race location shown on a Google map
  • Easily find previous races via "Find races", sorted by sport, location, race name, date
  • Allows race organizers to keep track of their own race results in one location
  • Easy sharing of results to Facebook / Twitter / Email
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Can Webscorer handle a series consisting of multiple races - series winner is determined by combining the results?

  • Yes, this feature is now available, see www.webscorer.com/resources/tutorial-results-series
  • The results series tool requires the PRO Results subscription which costs USD $75 / year
  • You'll time each race as if it is an independent race and post the results to the website
  • We support six types of points rules:
    • The "combined time" adds the times from each race for each racer, fastest combined time wins
    • The “Points per place 1,2,..." system will award 1 point for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd place and so on
    • The “custom points per place” allows you to upload your own points system, awarding points by placement
    • The “Points per place 100-1” awards 100 points to the winner, and 1 point less for each subsequent place
    • The "% back" will award points based on how many % the racer's time is behind the winner's time
    • The "% of winning time" is similar to "% back", only difference is that winner gets 100 points
  • You can also choose to count only best x out of total # of races in the series, e.g. best 6 results in a series of 8 races will count
  • The standings display can be shown as Total time or Average time / Total points or Average points
  • The tool can handle a race with any number of stages (e.g. Tour de France: www.webscorer.com/seriesresult?seriesid=7578)
  • You'll simply create a race series on Webscorer.com, give it a name, select the series rules and add the race(s) to the series
  • Once the races have been added, the race series tool will create a new raceid with the series totals thus far
  • The tool supports races with multiple distances & categories and will calculate the combined points separately for each
  • The "series standings" lists the times & points from each individual stage
  • The "series standings" can be downloaded to the app or viewed on the website
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If I want to post the results on my own website, can I still do that?

  • Yes. Once posted to Webscorer.com, you can download the complete results as a XLS file, repost on your own website, with your own logos and formatting - it is your data!
  • Note that you can embed the Webscorer results pages on your own website without any Webscorer insignia
  • This will save you the trouble up downloading and uploading files
  • The results will always stay up to date even if you need to make corrections
  • You’ll get the Webscorer results presentation on your own website
  • Details: HOW-TO-EMBED-RESULTS-IN-AN-IFRAME-ON-YOUR-OWN-WEBSITE
  • To embed the results without any Webscorer insignia is available through an PRO results subscription (USD $75 / year)
  • You can also delete results from Webscorer.com at any time - only your account can delete your races
  • You can erase posted results directly from the app - or from Webscorer.com by signing in with your email address and password
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SPORTS FAQ

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Overview

  • Webscorer is designed for any sport where time is used to determine the order of finish
  • Thus far we have identified 57 such sports
  • This list is by no means exclusive, and we're open to adding more
  • When posting registrations, results or start lists, each race gets classified as one of the supported sport types:
    • The sport type is used as a filter / sorting tool
    • You search by sport on the "Find races" pages on the website, and on the app when downloading races
    • A sports-specific "stock" photo is the default image on all race pages - unless a custom photo / logo is posted by the race organizer
  • Follow these steps to find posted results in your sport on the website:
  • Navigate to www.webscorer.com/findraces?pg=results
  • Below the map, set “Sport = [ your sport ] and tap “Update”
  • You filter the list further by using “Search races by = Map / Sport / Date / Type”
  • E.g. you can find races in your sport with “Start type = Interval”
  • Or, you can find results where “Timing mode = Multi-device splits” was used
  • If you want to see how a specific race was setup on Webscorer PRO, follow these steps:
  • Make note of the raceid, e.g. 56989 in www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=56969
  • Navigate to the Webscorer PRO home panel
  • Tap “Time a race”
  • Tap “Download start list from Webscorer.com”
  • Tap “Search for results”
  • Tap the “Race ID” field, key in e.g. 56969 and tap “Enter”
  • This will download a copy of the race setup, including the start list for that race
  • You can now proceed to view / edit the setup, including timing an “arm-chair” race
  • If you end up posting results from your practice race, remember to use the “Private” posting option
  • If you see missing features for your specific sport, please send us an email at support@webscorer.com
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Adventure racing

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Aquabike - swim and bike

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Aquathon - swim and run

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Cycling - BMX

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Cycling - cyclocross

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Cycling - fatbike

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Cycling - mtn cross-country

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Cycling - mtn downhill

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Cycling - mtn enduro

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Cycling - road

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Cycling - track

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Dog racing

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Duathlon - bike and run

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Duathlon - run and shoot

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Hiking

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Inline skating

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Motor sports - auto

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Motor sports - boat

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Motor sports - motorcycle

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Orienteering

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Paddling

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Paddling - canoe

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Paddling - kayak

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Paddling - outrigger

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Paddling - SUP

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Paddling - surfski

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Race walking

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Rowing

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Running

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Running - cross-country

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Running - hill

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Running - obstacle course

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Running - road

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Running - track

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Running - trail

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Sailing

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Skateboarding

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Ski mountaineering

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Skiing - biathlon

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Skiing - cross-country

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Skiing - downhill

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Skiing - rollerskiing

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Snowshoeing

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Soap box derby

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Swimming - open water

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Swimming - pool

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Trekking

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Triathlon

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SELF-TIMING FAQ

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Do I have to use Webscorer online registration for the event?

Since the event is tied to the racer's Webscorer account, the registration must be hosted on Webscorer.
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Can I edit an existing Webscorer registration setup to change it to a QR code event?

No, you’ll need to create a new event, as all racers must register while signed in to their Webscorer account.
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My event has 2 distances, a 10K and a 21K. How could I allow racers to do both over a weekend?

You’d create two separate registrations: one for 10K and the other for 21K.
You can tie these two registrations together via “Series reg” so there's just one reg link.
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What if a racer wants to do the same event twice, e.g. under 2 different bike type categories?

The racer must create two different Webscorer accounts, which then allows a 2nd registration.
The racer must also use a unique name for the 2nd entry, e.g. by adding a middle initial to the name.
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I have 2 distances that share some checkpoints but have some unique checkpoints for each. Is this ok?

Yes, you can define which checkpoints belong to each distance as part of the timing point setup.
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My race format is who can do most laps in a certain amount of time - is this supported?

Yes, you can set a time limit (e.g. 1 hour), the app will disallow additional laps after the time is up.
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Can I use this QR code feature to time a 5-stage enduro mountain bike race?

Yes, the setup allows you to define “Untimed transitions” which are excluded from total time.
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This feature appears similar to the SPORTident and EMIT timing systems, what are the benefits?

Expensive timing stations & chips are replaced by cheap QR code signs & personal phones.
Results are posted LIVE during the event.
Organizer does not even have to show up at race start or finish.
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To be fair, what are the disadvantages compared to the SPORTident and EMIT timing systems?

It may not be practical in some sports to require the racers to carry their own phones.
Scanning a QR code with a phone is slower than scanning a chip (although same for all racers).
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Can I add participants manually, or via file upload to the QR code event?

No, each racer must self-register, as the race gets added to the racer’s Webscorer account.
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Can anyone follow the race in real time as racers go through the various checkpoints?

Yes, provided the racer’s phone has connectivity, each split is posted LIVE to the website results.
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There’s no cellular connectivity on our race course, will this be a problem?

No internet connection is required when self-timing the race.
Internet connection is required only when signing into the app to get ready for the race.
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How will the results be posted from the racer’s phone if there’s no internet connection during the race?

The racer needs to tap “Post results” on the app once the phone regains connectivity.
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What if the racer is unable to scan the QR code which may have gotten damaged?

The app does have an option “Record time without code” in this situation.
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If the racer records a time without scanning the QR code, is there a way for the organizer to see that?

Yes, the “Taps recorded” download file includes a column that will indicate all missed QR code scans.
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Can the racer cheat by scanning the QR codes at home?

The QR codes are not known to racers before the race.
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Is there any way to police cheating where the racer may be scanning a photo of QR code taken by another racer?

Yes, the “Taps recorded” download file includes a column with the GPS coordinates for each scan.
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Can the racer do the same race twice?

You can allow a repeat by deleting the racer from the already posted results.
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Say the racer has a flat (in a bike race) in the middle of the course. Can he restart?

Yes, the racer would tap “Race control” / “Restart race” on the app and start over.
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Is the racer able to edit his / her own results?

No, once the last QR code is scanned, the racer’s timing data is posted and no edits are allowed.
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Can the organizer edit the results, and if so how?

Yes, the results can be edited directly on the results page at the Webscorer website.
You’d click on the “Edit results” menu button while being signed in as the organizer.
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I have created the registration and have the first few signed up. How do I find the results link?

The results link is created when the 1st racer self-times the race.
You can find the link under Organizers / My results.
Note that the results URL does not have the same raceid as the reg.
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I wish my results to stay “Private” so they’re not searchable - how can I do this?

If the registration is set with “Visibility = Private”, the results will use this same option.
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Do I have to pay the Webscorer fee of USD $1 per racer while I am testing the QR code feature?

There’s no fee due if your test event has 5 or fewer participants.
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Is there any way for racers to test the app to understand how it works on race day?

The app offers a “Practice self-timing” option which allows racers to try scanning real QR codes.
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Can I restrict the racers to do the self-timing within a specific date / time range?

Yes, part of the reg setup is to set the event start & event end date & time.
Racers are not able to scan the first QR code unless the present date / time is within the event window.
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What does the event start and end date & time mean in practice?

The racer cannot start the race (scan 1st QR code) before the event start time, or after the event end time.
Racers’ results are posted regardless of how long it takes to complete the course.
The results page will show racers who’re still on course, even if the event end time has passed.
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I notice the results show “Preliminary” during / after the race. How do I make them final?

You’d mark the results as “Final” by clicking on the “Edit race info” menu button.
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I have a few racers already registered. Can I still change the QR codes & timing points?

Yes, you can still make changes to the timing point setup if no racer has yet completed the race.
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I have a few racers already finished in the results. Can I change the QR codes via reg setup?

No unless you’ll delete the racers from the results page first via “Edit results".
Another method is to delete the results altogether via “My results” page.
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Do I need to assign bib numbers to all racers?

No, each racer is uniquely identified using the Webscorer account that's required to register.
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How accurate are the timings?

Each racer's time is calculated using the local phone clock which is typically accurate to +/- 0.1 seconds.
Even if the phone's clock is not in sync with the internet time clock, this does not affect the timing accuracy.
If phone's clock is off at the start & phone gets an internet time update during the race, this could affect the time.
To avoid this theoretical problem, racers should "Set automatically = Off" in the phone's Date & Time settings.
Blog article
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I'd like to start the racers in waves of 10, but I'd prefer not to have 10 QR code signs at the start - how?

Have the racers in the same wave line up at the start, and instruct all to open the app on their phones.
Then, instruct all to tap "Scan code for Start" / "Record time without code" at the same time.
This is effectively a manual wave-start without requiring scanning of the QR code.
You can check via the "Taps recorded" data that all racers in the same wave ended up self-starting at the same time.
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GPS TRACKING FAQ

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What is the cost of the GPS tracking feature?

If you're already using Webscorer online registration and you're collecting entry fees, there's no extra cost for GPS tracking - it is included in the standard reg fee of USD $1 per participant. If you're creating a registration for the GPS tracking only, then the cost is USD $1 per participant. You can make the registration free for the participants, and pay the fee after the reg closes.
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If I have my online reg on another platform, can I still use GPS tracking on Webscorer?

Yes, but your participants will effectively have to register twice - once to pay the entry fee on the other reg platform, and then to register for the GPS tracking on Webscorer. This additional registration is required to uniquely connect each cell phone transmitting the GPS coordinates to a racer. Racers create a Webscorer account at registration, and type in their first name & last name. This account is then used to sign in on the app to connect the racer's phone with the event. The GPS-only registration can be short & simple - you'll need to ask only for first name & last name and the race distance (if it is a multi-distance race).
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Is there a fee for testing this feature?

No. You can create the online reg for free and test it with up to 5 participants before the fee payment is triggered (in other words, only events with 6 or more registrations require payment). There is no requirement to have a Webscorer PRO timing subscription - in fact no Webscorer timing is required / assumed for this feature to work. You can optionally use the free Webscorer app to time the race with up 5 racers if you want to test how the tracking feature is accessible from the LIVE results page.
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How can I create a GPX file for the race course?

The Webscorer app has an option to "Create GPX file for course". You'd take your phone along, tap "Start GPS tracking" at the start line, traverse the course - and then tap "Stop GPS tracking" at the finish. If your event offers multiple distances, then a separate GPX file is required for each. Once recorded, you'd transfer the GPX file to your laptop via GPS archive and upload to your event by clicking on the "Course map" menu button in reg setup. If you already have a GPX file from Strava or similar mapping app, you can use that file instead.
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Can I block others from viewing the location tracking page - for privacy reasons?

In reg setup, you can select "Racers on map visibility = Organizer only" which then hides the tracking page menu button from the registration and results pages. If you want your participants to be able to access the page, but block anyone else searching for your event, use "Event visibility = Private" which then requires knowing the URL of your reg and results pages as well as the tracking page to find your event.
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If someone does not want to carry their phone during the race, will this be a problem?

Not a problem, it simply means that that racer's name will not appear on the tracking page to be selected. The tracking page has a note that it is "Showing racers who use the Webscorer app for GPS tracking on their phone". In fact, one usage scenario is where only a small subset of racers want to be tracked to allow their support crew know when to expect them at the finish - whereas self-supported racers don't have the same need.
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Why would I set the GPS update interval to once every 15 seconds vs. once every 10 minutes?

This is primarily used to save the battery on the racers' phones. While the amount of data transmitted by the phone is small, a higher frequency will consume more power. This is important especially in a longer race. It is also easier to view the racer's progress on the map with time stamps if they're not clustered too closely together (see Q19 for a counter-argument). Note that racers cannot alter this frequency themselves, it is set to be the same for all racers by the organizer. Once the race is underway, the frequency cannot be changed.
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What are the requirements for app permissions on the racers' phones?

The racers must allow the Webscorer app to use the phone's precise location. There's no requirement to enable the Webscorer app to run in the background - but obviously the app must be left running (and not be "swiped up") after starting the tracking. The phone screen can be turned off / the phone placed in "standby", similar to when using other tracking apps such as Strava. The phone's "Cellular data" setting must be left on.
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What happens if there's no cell coverage in some sections of the race course?

Obviously, there will be a gap in getting the GPS location from the app during this time. However, the app keeps recording the locations at the frequency specified, and will send all missed GPS updates when the cell coverage resumes. The racer does not need to do anything, these steps are fully automated. If the finish line has no cell coverage and the racer stops tracking right away, the final GPS coordinates may not be sent to the website. The racer can resend the coordinates by navigating to GPS archive on the app - and tap to repost the tracking data.
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Can the GPS feature be used for self-timing?

Yes, there is an option in reg setup to set "Self-timed race = Yes". If this is set, when the racer taps "Start GPS tracking" is considered to be the start time for the self-timed race and tapping "Stop GPS tracking" is considered to be the finish time for the self-timed race. The results will automatically be posted to a new raceid on the Webscorer website - with "self-timed" appended to the end of the race name. Multiple attempts at the fastest time is allowed - with each attempt shown on the results page by selecting either "Show all results" or "Show best results".
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What if a racer forgets to tap "Stop GPS tracking" at the finish, and leaves the race site?

The GPS map feature will show the latest location of each racer - until the racer taps "Stop GPS tracking" on the app, or kills the app from memory. We debated whether to automatically cut off the recording at some specified time, but decided that it's better for safety tracking reasons to not do so without organizer action. There is a tool for the organizer on the tracking page to edit the GPS tracking data - to delete "practice" trackings and to clip off coordinates from the tracking page after a specific time for a given racer.
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If I only have a few who want GPS tracking, how can I prevent the $1 fee to apply to all?

Note that if you're collecting entry fees already through Webscorer, the GPS tracking feature costs you nothing extra. If your event reg is on another site, you can setup a separate GPS-only registration on Webscorer - and advise that only those who want the GPS tracking to register.
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Will the GPS tracking data be visible / accessible after the race?

Yes, the GPS tracking page will stay visible unless you decide to hide it by clicking on "Edit race info" on the results page and select "Organizer only" for the visibility. While the "Latest location of all racers" view doesn't make sense after the race is over, it may be interesting to racers to view their own (and their competitors') progress along the course. The coordinates are shown with time stamps so you can estimate how long each section of the course took for a given racer.
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If I am renting GPS devices for tracking my event already, why would I want to use this feature?

Satellite-specific trackers (such as Garmin InReach) have the advantage of working without any requirement for cell signals. But if you have a large race, the cost of renting and the logistics of handling the devices for all racers may be prohibitive. Depending on the circumstances, you may consider renting the satellite trackers for the elite racers only - and use the Webscorer GPS tracking as a backup, or a low-cost alternative for the rest of the racers. The elite racers could carry both the satellite tracker and their cell phone, so you'd still get the full roster shown on the map when there's cell coverage on course.
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Can relay teams use this feature to check when to expect a team member to arrive at exchange?

Yes, the organizer would setup a registration where each team member registers as an individual (Webscorer flexible relay registration works this way). Each team member would then sign into the app as if they were a solo racer and start the tracking as usual. Team members can then check the GPS location of their fellow racer while others are resting at the exchange area (and their location is shown to be there).
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Is it practical to use personal phones for tracking in a long race - will the batteries last?

Modern phones consume remarkably little power when in standby mode while still having the location services and cell network active. According to various independent tests, the battery drain in standby mode is 1-2% per hour, suggesting that a fully charged phone would last 50-100 hours when just used for tracking purposes. To maximize the battery life in a long race, it's a good idea to close all other apps besides Webscorer - and set the location update frequency in reg setup to once every 10 minutes.
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When is phone-based location tracking not recommended?

If your race course has no cell coverage anywhere, then the only tracking devices that work are pure GPS trackers. If there are gaps in cell coverage, the pure GPS trackers will have an advantage in updating the locations without interruptions, whereas phone-based tracking will catch up only after the racer's phone regains a cell signal. GPS-only trackers require a clear view of the sky to connect with a minimum of 3 satellites so that may be a handicap for the GPS-only trackers if the race course is in a wooded area. Phones can triangulate their location off cell towers - so their location accuracy / availability may be better depending on the terrain and proximity of cell towers.
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Is it possible to embed the GPS registration and GPS tracking pages on my own website?

Yes, you can embed both in an iFrame on your own website without any Webscorer insignia. Instructions how to do this are included in another article on our BLOG. Results pages can also be embedded - although there is no requirement to use Webscorer PRO timing & results if you're only interested in the GPS tracking feature.
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Is it practical to follow who's leading the race with the map view "Latest location of all racers"?

Yes with some caveats. You'll want to set the location update interval to be every 15 seconds (most frequent). Each racer's app will then send its GPS coordinates to the website once every 15 seconds - but note that these location update times are not synchronized. This means that a pack of 5 leading racers may get their GPS coordinates sent at different times over the 15 second interval, and it would appear on the map that the 5 racers are not together as their GPS locations may be some distance apart. However, the map view includes the time stamp when each coordinate was recorded so it's possible to conclude that the 5 racers are in fact, most likely racing as a pack. The website map will auto-update the locations every 15 seconds (in this case) - so the racer locations will "jump" along accordingly.
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Why don't the racers appear to move along the course smoothly in the map view?

The GPS coordinates are sent by the app at intervals set by the organizer. The most frequent setting is every 15 seconds. Most rentable GPS tracking devices send the coordinates once per minute, or less frequently to save in the messaging rates, save the device battery, and to not overload the server receiving the coordinates. If the racers on the map are moving along (vs. jumping ahead), such tracking sites are estimating the racer's current GPS position based on calculated speed and previous known location - essentially falsifying location data. The racer may have stopped, veered off course, or even turned around. Our objective is to present the actual location data vs. attempting to do a race simulation which is prone to errors.
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Can I add GPS tracking to an existing reg if some racers have already registered?

Yes, if your existing reg was setup to require a Webscorer account when registering. If not, turning on the GPS tracking feature in reg setup will require anyone registering thereafter to sign in / create account - as that's how the tracking data sent by the app will be identified as coming from the signed in racer's phone. Anyone who registered without an account would need to re-register to gain access to the GPS tracking on the app.