In other words, more people go looking for results than for your course map, your kit list or your parking info. Getting results right is one of the simplest ways to keep participants happy and coming back next year.
This article walks you through a few easy steps to make sure nobody is left searching.
Why results matter so much
For your participants, the result is the reward. It's proof of all those early mornings and training miles, and it's the first thing many of them want to share.
People look for results at two key moments:
During the event. Friends and family check how their runner is getting on, and finishers want their time the moment they cross the line.
After the event. Participants come back to compare with friends, share on social media, check their position and plan their next challenge. Many return days or even weeks later.
When results are hard to find, the questions come to you instead. Expect emails, social media comments and phone calls asking "Where are the results?" Making them easy to find saves your team time and gives participants a better experience.
Step 1: Add your results link early
You don't need to wait until event day to add your results link. You can add it weeks or even months in advance.
Think of it like putting up a signpost before the road is open. The link sits on your event page ready and waiting. As soon as any results go live, whether that's live tracking on the day or final results afterwards, they'll be right there for participants to find.
Doing this early means:
One less job to remember on a busy event day
No gap between results going live and people being able to find them
Participants know exactly where to look before they even start
Tip: Add your results link as soon as you know who your timing company is and where results will be hosted.
Step 2: Mention results in your event communications
Even with the link in place, a quick reminder goes a long way. A single line in each of your emails or posts is enough.
When | What to include | Example |
Before the event | Where results will appear and roughly when | "Results will be on the event page under Results, with live updates on the day." |
During the event | Where friends and family can follow along | "Cheering someone on? Follow live results on our event page." |
After the event | A direct link and a note on any corrections | "Your results are now live! Spotted an issue? Here's how to let us know." |
Pre-event information emails, social media posts and post-event thank-you emails are all great places to add this. Including it in your final pre-event email is especially useful, as that's the one most participants read closely.
Step 3 (the gold standard): Add a results FAQ
The best-run events go one step further and add one or two FAQs about results. This answers questions before they're asked and sets clear expectations about timing.
Feel free to copy and adapt these examples:
Where can I find the results? Results will be available on our event page under "Results". Live results will update throughout the day, so friends and family can follow along too.
When will results be available? Provisional results will appear on the day as participants finish. Final results will be confirmed within [X days] after the event. If you think there's a mistake with your result, please contact [email address].
Tip: Be honest about timings. If final results usually take a few days, say so. Clear expectations mean fewer "Where's my time?" messages.
Your quick results checklist
Results link added to your event page well before event day
Results mentioned in your pre-event emails
Live results shared on the day for friends and family
Results link included in your post-event email
One or two results FAQs added, including when results will be ready
A few minutes of setup now means happier participants, fewer questions for your team, and more people coming back to your event page long after the finish line.
Need a hand? Get in touch with our support team via the chat and we'll be happy to help.