name: RunSignup Race Registration Vocabulary
description: >-
  Core vocabulary, terminology, and domain concepts used in the RunSignup
  race registration and event management platform. Covers race operations,
  participant management, timing, results, and fundraising.
created: '2026-05-02'
modified: '2026-05-02'
terms:

  - term: Race
    definition: >-
      The top-level event entity in RunSignup. A race is the overall event
      (e.g., the "2026 Golden Gate Half Marathon") that contains one or more
      individual events with different distances or categories.
    tags:
      - Race
      - Event

  - term: Event
    definition: >-
      A specific distance or category within a race (e.g., "5K Run", "Half Marathon",
      "Kids Fun Run"). Participants register for a specific event. Each event has
      its own timing, age groups, and registration settings.
    tags:
      - Event
      - Race

  - term: Registration
    definition: >-
      The act of a participant enrolling in a race event. A registration record
      includes participant details, the chosen event, payment information, and
      assigns a unique registration_id used for bib assignment and results.
    tags:
      - Registration
      - Participant

  - term: Bib Number
    definition: >-
      A unique identifier printed on a numbered bib worn by a participant during
      the race. Used for visual identification by photographers, spectators, and
      finish line officials. Linked to a registration via bib_num field.
    tags:
      - Timing
      - Participant
      - Bib

  - term: Chip Timing
    definition: >-
      A timing method using RFID chips attached to bibs or shoes that record
      crossing times at timing mats. Enables accurate net time (from crossing
      start line) separate from clock/gun time.
    tags:
      - Timing
      - Results

  - term: Clock Time
    definition: >-
      The elapsed time from the official start gun to when a participant crosses
      the finish line. Also called "gun time". Used for overall placement.
    tags:
      - Timing
      - Results

  - term: Chip Time
    definition: >-
      Net time from when a participant crosses the start line to when they cross
      the finish line. More accurate for large races with wave starts. Used for
      personal records and some division placements.
    tags:
      - Timing
      - Results

  - term: Division
    definition: >-
      An age and/or gender category used to award division winners in addition
      to overall winners. Example: "Male 30-34", "Female 50-54". Defined per event.
    tags:
      - Results
      - Division

  - term: Corral
    definition: >-
      A designated starting area or wave for participants. Used in large races to
      manage crowding. Participants are assigned to corrals based on expected finish
      time or qualification criteria.
    tags:
      - Race Operations
      - Corral

  - term: Wave Start
    definition: >-
      A race starting format where participants begin in groups (waves) at staggered
      intervals, reducing congestion. Chip timing enables accurate net time regardless
      of wave assignment.
    tags:
      - Race Operations
      - Timing

  - term: Result Set
    definition: >-
      A named collection of race results for an event (e.g., "Official", "Unofficial",
      "Amateur Category"). A race event can have multiple result sets.
    tags:
      - Results

  - term: Pace
    definition: >-
      The rate at which a participant completes a distance, typically expressed as
      minutes per mile or minutes per kilometer. Calculated from chip or clock time.
    tags:
      - Results
      - Timing

  - term: Timer
    definition: >-
      A professional timing company or individual responsible for recording and
      managing race timing data. Timers have specific API access roles in RunSignup
      for managing bib assignments and posting results.
    tags:
      - Timing
      - Role

  - term: Race Director
    definition: >-
      The organizer responsible for managing a race event in RunSignup. Race directors
      have full access to race configuration, participant management, results, and
      financial reporting.
    tags:
      - Role
      - Race Operations

  - term: Partner
    definition: >-
      A third-party integration partner with API access to RunSignup data for
      multiple races. Partners use permanent API keys and can access participant
      and results data across races they are granted access to.
    tags:
      - API
      - Role

  - term: Fundraiser
    definition: >-
      A participant-driven fundraising campaign associated with a race registration.
      Participants raise donations from supporters in addition to their race entry fee.
    tags:
      - Fundraising
      - Charity

  - term: Charity
    definition: >-
      A nonprofit organization associated with a race for donation campaigns.
      Participants can donate to or fundraise for the charity as part of their
      race registration.
    tags:
      - Fundraising
      - Nonprofit