Questions
Frequently asked questions
Written for runners entering their first long race and for the family and friends helping them get to the finish.
- I've never crewed an ultra. Is this going to make sense to me?
- That's exactly who it's built for. A crew member opens one link and sees where to go, when the runner is expected, what to have ready, and two big buttons to record when the runner arrives and leaves. There's nothing to set up and nothing to learn beforehand.
- Do my crew need to create accounts?
- No. You create the race plan, then send each crew member a private link. They see only race-day information — no account details, no other races — and they can't change the plan. You can revoke any link instantly.
- What happens when there's no cell service at an aid station?
- Once the race has been opened on a phone, the plan, addresses, cutoffs, checklists and notes stay readable offline. Arrivals, departures, checklist ticks and notes are saved on the phone, shown as waiting to sync, and sent automatically when signal returns.
- What happens when race day doesn't go to plan?
- Each time an arrival or departure is recorded, the estimates for the remaining checkpoints shift with it, along with cutoff margins and whether the runner is ahead, on plan or behind. You can also say the rest of the race will be 10% slower, 20% slower or a specific pace. Your original plan is always kept next to the updated one.
- Are the arrival times a guarantee?
- No. They are estimates from the pace and stop times you entered plus what has actually happened so far. They are labelled as estimates everywhere they appear.
- Which race distances does it suit?
- Anything with checkpoints and cutoffs — 50K, 50-mile, 100K, 100-mile and multi-day events. Distances can be miles or kilometers.
- Does it give training, nutrition or medical advice?
- No. Ultra Crew Chief records what you and your crew enter and does the timing arithmetic. It never interprets symptoms or recommends treatment. Follow your event's medical staff and race rules.
- Can I try it before entering my own race?
- Yes. After you sign up you can load a demo 55-mile race with checkpoints, crew stops, cutoffs, checklists and crew links, then delete it whenever you like.
- Can I install it on my phone?
- Yes. It's a web app you can add to your home screen, where it opens full screen like any other app.
- What does it cost?
- It's free during early access. Paid plans are being worked out and nothing is charged today.
Still deciding?
Set up your race, load the demo, and see the crew screen for yourself.