Pace Groups
Do you have a time goal for your race?
Are you looking to PR?
Join one of our pace groups, and allow the Running Etc. Pace Team to help you achieve your goal.
Half Marathon Pace Groups
Pace Group | Locate your Pace Group in the Following Corral |
1:35 | Corral 1 |
1:45 | Corral 1 |
1:52 | Corral 1 |
2:00 | Corral 2 |
2:15 | Corral 2 |
2:30 | Corral 3 |
2:45 | Corral 4 |
Who are the Pacers?
The Pace Groups for the Half Marathon will be led by the Running Etc. Pace Team. The Team is comprised of experienced distance runners who love helping fellow runners realize their goals. Many of our Pacers return year after year to help you enjoy the race experience and achieve your running goal. Think of them as your coach-on-the-run!
Do I need to sign up for a Pace Group?
To join a Pace Group simply stop by the Pacer Booth at the Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday OR look for the pace group signs on race day. Each Pacer will carry a sign with the goal finish time. Pace Leaders will be assigned to the appropriate wave based on finish time. You will find them near the back of the corral for their assigned time.
Is there a cost to participate with a pace group?
The Pace Team is completely free to you!
What pace per mile will we run and how do they keep the pace consistent?
We will be running an “even effort,” which means that every mile will be run at approximately the same pace. See the question above for specific pace numbers. The first miles are always a bit slow due to the crowds. Also, it may be windy on the course and the Pacer may use his/her discretion to slightly adjust the pace to account for race conditions. Our goal is to run continually even splits, and when course conditions prevent this, we will make up any lost time over the entirety of the race, not over one or two miles. Our Pacers are very familiar with pacing and how to keep it consistent. Combined they’ve run hundreds of Marathons and Half Marathons. Each Pacer will also use a sports watch or GPS watch to help them run each mile at a consistent pace and ensure their groups make their time goal!
Are we going to go right out on pace?
Sometimes it is crowded at the start line and it may take a couple of miles to settle into a steady pace. Most importantly, our Pacers won’t take you out too fast and burn up all your energy early on.
How do I meet up with my Pace Group on race morning?
Our Pacers will line up in each corral based on their finish times. You should look for the pace group signs with the goal finishing time for each group. Pacers will be wearing a Pacer T-Shirt which will be on display at the Pacer booth during the Expo. The Pacer will be standing towards the back of each corral. Try to meet the group at least 15 minutes before the start of the race. Five minutes before the start, your Pacer will give some “final instructions” which may include pace adjustments due to course congestion, as well as your Pacer’s water-stop strategy. This will also provide a final opportunity to ask any questions before the race starts. Remember: Your Pacer will have many runners in his/her group – it is important that YOU keep an eye on your Pacer as they will not be chasing after or waiting for you.
Will there be walking breaks?
Your Pacer will maintain even splits right through the water stops. However, we want you to run your race as you have planned and trained. If you trained with walk breaks, race morning is not the time to make a change. Use the Pacer as a guide and take your walk breaks just as you did in training. Since even splits are maintained throughout the race, you should be able to take walk breaks and still spend time in the presence of your Pacer, as you will continually “meet up” over the course of the race.
What will the Pacer do at the water stations?
Most Pacers will run through the water stations and maintain even pace. Each Pacer will let the team know his/her strategy for getting through the water stations. Some Pacers may choose to slow down or walk through the stops depending upon the group. Be sure to check with your Pacer if this is extremely important to you so that you are not surprised if they don’t walk these stations.
Do I have to stay with the Pacer for the entire race?
No. Run your own race and enjoy yourself. If you are feeling great and want to run faster, go for it. If it’s not turning out to be your day, slow down. You can always drop back to the next Pace Group. Just know that the Pacer will not speed up or slow down for the group, but rather stick to the goal pace.
Are the Pacers going to run the entire Half Marathon?
Yes, all Half Marathon Pacers will run the entire race and encourage you to achieve your race goal!
Are you interested in becoming a Running Etc. Pace Team Leader? Call or email Jamie Rhoades for more details at 757.731.3448 or jamie@jandaracing.com.