diff --git a/base/util_test_norace.go b/base/util_test_norace.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ed601aa559
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/util_test_norace.go
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Copyright 2025-Present Couchbase, Inc.
+//
+// Use of this software is governed by the Business Source License included
+// in the file licenses/BSL-Couchbase.txt.  As of the Change Date specified
+// in that file, in accordance with the Business Source License, use of this
+// software will be governed by the Apache License, Version 2.0, included in
+// the file licenses/APL2.txt.
+
+//go:build !race
+// +build !race
+
+package base
+
+import "testing"
+
+// IsRaceDetectorEnabled returns true if compiled with -race. Intended to be used for testing only.
+func IsRaceDetectorEnabled(t *testing.T) bool {
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/base/util_test_race.go b/base/util_test_race.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b34e39282b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/util_test_race.go
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Copyright 2025-Present Couchbase, Inc.
+//
+// Use of this software is governed by the Business Source License included
+// in the file licenses/BSL-Couchbase.txt.  As of the Change Date specified
+// in that file, in accordance with the Business Source License, use of this
+// software will be governed by the Apache License, Version 2.0, included in
+// the file licenses/APL2.txt.
+
+//go:build race
+// +build race
+
+package base
+
+import "testing"
+
+// IsRaceDetectorEnabled returns true if compiled with -race. Intended to be used for testing only
+func IsRaceDetectorEnabled(t *testing.T) bool {
+	return true
+}
diff --git a/db/database_test.go b/db/database_test.go
index 046bf09d67..2507e00e49 100644
--- a/db/database_test.go
+++ b/db/database_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"log"
+	"runtime"
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"sort"
 	"strconv"
@@ -3363,6 +3364,12 @@ func TestUpdateCalculatedStatsPanic(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func Test_waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(t *testing.T) {
+	// use testing/synctest to have fake time once go 1.25 is available. In the meantime, windows and -race are
+	// slow enough thatthe time is increased, but this keeps interactive testing fast.
+	waitTime := 50 * time.Millisecond
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" || base.IsRaceDetectorEnabled(t) {
+		waitTime = 1 * time.Second
+	}
 	t.Run("single unstoppable process", func(t *testing.T) {
 		bgMngr := &BackgroundManager{
 			name:    "test_unstoppable_runner",
@@ -3375,7 +3382,7 @@ func Test_waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		startTime := time.Now()
-		deadline := 50 * time.Millisecond
+		deadline := waitTime
 		waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(ctx, deadline, []*BackgroundManager{bgMngr})
 		assert.Greater(t, time.Since(startTime), deadline)
 		assert.Equal(t, BackgroundProcessStateStopping, bgMngr.GetRunState())
@@ -3393,7 +3400,7 @@ func Test_waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		startTime := time.Now()
-		deadline := 100 * time.Millisecond
+		deadline := waitTime
 		waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(ctx, deadline, []*BackgroundManager{bgMngr})
 		assert.Less(t, time.Since(startTime), deadline)
 		assert.Equal(t, BackgroundProcessStateStopped, bgMngr.GetRunState())
@@ -3421,7 +3428,7 @@ func Test_waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		startTime := time.Now()
-		deadline := 100 * time.Millisecond
+		deadline := waitTime
 		waitForBackgroundManagersToStop(ctx, deadline, []*BackgroundManager{stoppableBgMngr, unstoppableBgMngr})
 		assert.Greater(t, time.Since(startTime), deadline)
 		assert.Equal(t, BackgroundProcessStateStopped, stoppableBgMngr.GetRunState())