Getting Started with Run Lap Tap
Welcome to Run Lap Tap
Whether you're a PE teacher timing laps in a school gymnasium, a coach running time trials at the track, or a volunteer timing a weekend parkrun — Run Lap Tap makes it simple to capture accurate times for every runner.
This guide walks you through your first event from start to finish.
Step 1: Create Your First Event
Open Run Lap Tap and tap the + button to create a new event. You'll choose from three event types:
- Race — A single-lap race where you record each runner as they cross the finish line
- Lap Timing — Multi-lap events where each tap records the next lap for that runner
- Time Trial — Staggered individual starts where each runner gets their own clock
Give your event a name, set the distance, and (for lap timing) choose the number of laps — or select Unlimited if you don't know how many laps in advance.
Step 2: Add Your Runners
You can add runners in several ways:
- Manual entry — Type names directly
- From a roster — Create reusable rosters that persist across events
- QR wristbands — Assign persistent QR codes that runners wear each session
- NFC tags — Assign NFC wristbands for tap-to-identify
Rosters are especially useful for PE teachers and running clubs — create them once and reuse them all year.
Step 3: Start Timing
Hit Start and the clock begins. Now you have four ways to record a time:
- Tap the runner's card on screen
- Type their bib number in the quick-entry field
- Scan their QR wristband with your camera
- Tap an NFC wristband against your phone
Each tap records the runner's time instantly. In lap timing mode, you'll see their card change colour for each lap — making it easy to spot who's on which lap at a glance.
Step 4: Review Results
Once the event is complete, you'll see a full results table with times, positions, and any personal bests. From here you can:
- Export to CSV for spreadsheets
- Generate PDF reports with your branding
- Award achievement badges for milestones like fastest lap or most consistent splits
What's Next?
Explore the different event types and recording methods to find what works best for your setup. Check out our other guides for specific use cases like cross country timing and PE fitness testing.