Lap Counting for PE Teachers: Ditch the Clipboard
The PE Timing Problem
Every PE teacher knows the drill: 30 students running laps, one stopwatch, and a clipboard that's already falling apart. You're trying to time individuals while managing the class, and half the lap counts are guesses by the end of the session.
There's a better way.
Run Lap Tap for PE Classes
Run Lap Tap's Lap Timing mode was built for exactly this scenario. Here's how it transforms your PE sessions.
Set Up Your Class Roster
Create a roster for each class — "Year 7 PE Monday" or "Grade 5 Fitness". Add your students once and reuse the roster all year. If students have QR wristbands, assign them now for even faster recording.
Create a Lap Timing Event
Tap + and choose Lap Timing. Set the number of laps (e.g. 6 laps of the oval) or choose Unlimited if you want students to run for a set time period and you'll count laps as they go.
During the Session
Start the timer and position yourself where you can see runners completing each lap. As a student passes your checkpoint:
- Tap their card on screen — it's the fastest method for classes you know by sight
- Scan their QR wristband if you've set those up
- Type their number if they're wearing bibs
Each tap records a lap. The student's card changes colour with each lap — blue for lap 1, orange for lap 2, purple for lap 3 — so you can instantly see who's ahead and who needs encouragement.
Unlimited Laps Mode
Don't know how many laps? Set laps to Unlimited (0). Students run for a set time, and you tap each lap as they pass. When time's up, use the finish button on each runner's card or long-press to mark them finished from the context menu.
Tracking Progress Across the Term
This is where Run Lap Tap really shines for PE. Because you're using persistent rosters:
- Personal bests are tracked automatically across events
- Students get notified when they beat their PB
- Achievement badges reward consistency, improvement, and milestones
- You can view progress analytics for individuals or the whole class
Over a term, you build a picture of each student's fitness progression — no spreadsheets required.
Achievement Badges That Motivate
Run Lap Tap includes 35+ achievement badges across 6 categories. Students can earn badges for:
- Running distance milestones (5km, 10km, marathon)
- Completing a streak of events
- Setting personal bests
- Consistent lap splits
- Helping others (peer encouragement)
These badges provide powerful motivation — especially for students who might not be the fastest but show real improvement.
Exporting for Reports
Need data for school reports or fitness assessments? Export any event to CSV for detailed spreadsheet analysis, or generate a PDF report that looks professional. Group analytics show class averages with individual anonymisation for sensitive reporting.
Getting Started
- Download Run Lap Tap from the App Store
- Create a roster for your class
- Set up a Lap Timing event
- Run your first timed session
The free tier supports 2 rosters and 30 students per event — enough for most PE classes. If you teach multiple classes or have larger groups, Pro unlocks unlimited rosters and runners.
Your clipboard days are over.