RunSignUp is changing RaceJoy’s business model to offer a “free only” experience for participants and spectators. Previously, race events were able to either purchase the buyout option or choose a consumer model where the participant and spectator paid an in-app upgrade fee of 99 cents for RaceJoy’s features. Key user features include continuous live tracking, GPS-based progress alerts and cheer sending.
The consumer model option will be phased out by the end of 2016 and will only be available for 2016 events that have already been loaded into RaceJoy. Going forward, race events that wish to have RaceJoy’s innovative race day experience will be required to offer the experience as a free service by purchasing the buyout option. RaceJoy’s pricing is set to be affordable for any race and includes significant value for the race itself.
Why are we doing this?
Consistent Experience
There are many reasons that led to the decision to move to this free-to-consumers model. One of the main motivations is to ease user confusion and potential frustration – participants and spectators are often confused when some races are providing free tracking and cheers and others are not. Having a consistent, “always free” app will help overcome this.
Affordable Innovation
Participants are expecting some type of tracking to be provided and RaceJoy offers the most innovative solution in the industry. The buyout price is competitively set so that any race can afford to purchase the buyout or have a sponsor cover the cost.
Higher Engagement
In addition, those races that choose the buyout can more easily promote the availability of RaceJoy to all of their participants and spectators. We have seen much wider adoption and better feedback for races who offer a free option.
Race Value
Another key reason for this adjustment is that RaceJoy is offering a lot of value not just to the participants and their supporting family and friends, but for the race as well. From sponsor promotion to race day monitoring, we are continuing to build and expand the features that help race operations. All of this requires significant resources in development and support. Some key offerings available through RaceJoy for the race and sponsor include:
Race Day Monitoring:
The RaceJoy Race Day Monitoring tool provides organizers with the ability to track runners/cyclists and operational staff live from a web console and have immediate access to information to manage race operations and respond to race day conditions. See more about this tool by reading this blog…
Value for Sponsors:
RaceJoy provides a powerful way to provide sponsor promotion with a highly engaged and expanded audience through in-app advertising and branding opportunities.
Race Promotion:
RaceJoy provides an opportunity for the race to attract more registrants and to reach each participants’ network of family and friends through its race listing in RaceJoy, social media promotion and through every GPS-based progress alert issued on the course.
Race Operations Management:
RaceJoy offers the ability for organizers to track the location of key race operations like the Lead and Tail vehicle and to communicate with them. And, the Race News Alert system makes for a very useful emergency communications tool, and to inform races about race day changes or key information like parking and packet pickup.
And yes, all of this is included in the buyout price. So, not only are races able to offer the most advanced form of tracking available in the market, they are able to then use this to help with their own management of race day.
Thank you, race organizers, for embracing RaceJoy and providing a one-of-a-kind race day experience and for your dedication to quality and innovation. Together, we are changing the race experience!
You can view additional information about offering RaceJoy here.
