The Loop

The website that took a sports event from launch to growth

Context

The Loop started with a first edition in Mauritius: 80 runners in a 6.7 km loop format repeating every hour. Success led to expansion: a second event "Sunset to Sunrise" was added the following year.

Challenge: Build a website that could launch the first event and then evolve to manage multiple events. The site needed to handle registrations, communicate the intensity of the races, and grow with the event series. Built with Astro for optimal performance.

Results

• Event launch success : 80 spots filled in 3 weeks
• Scalable for growth : Website evolved to support new events without rebuilding
• Strong participant experience : Clear info, smooth registration, immersive design
• Community engagement : Strong word-of-mouth and social sharing

Technical solution

We built The Loop with Astro for optimal performance and multi-event scalability:

Features developed:

• →
  Online registrations : Complete form with validation, secure payment, and automatic confirmations
• →
  Course presentation : Interactive map, elevation profile, 6.7km loop details
• →
  Detailed rules : Backyard Ultra format explained, precise schedules, disqualification criteria
• →
  Participant list : Real-time display of registered runners with profiles
• →
  Mobile-first : Responsive design optimized for field consultation and mobile registrations
• →
  FAQ and logistics : All practical info (accommodation, aid stations, required equipment)
• →
  Strategic CTAs : User journey optimized to maximize registrations
• →
  Automatic emails : Confirmations, reminders, personalized pre-race information
• →
  Integrated analytics : Conversion tracking, traffic sources, user behavior

Tech stack

• →
  Astro framework : Static generation for blazing-fast load times, hybrid SSR for dynamic content
• →
  Custom design system : TailwindCSS with strong visual identity reflecting the race's intensity
• →
  Registration system : Advanced form with real-time validation and payment processing
• →
  Optimal performance : Optimized images, lazy loading, Lighthouse score 95+