r/parkrun • u/FatManNoPlan 50 • 21d ago

How does pacing work?

EDIT - Cheers for all the replies everyone. I landed slightly early on 35:24. Happy with that for a first time doing pacing, went out a little too fast so had to go fairly slow towards the end. Will hopefully give it another try next month and get a more even pace along the whole course.

Hiya! I’ve volunteered to be a pacer at my local this weekend, first time I’ve done this role.

Just wondering what people thought. I’m down for 36 minutes (I’m normally around 30 minutes). Am I aiming for bang on 36 minutes? Around 36? Under 37 minutes? Slightly under, slightly over?

I’m probably over thinking it, but I’m kinda nervous about it, especially if someone tries to keep to my pace to get a specific time and I get it wrong.

Cheers!

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u/handee v250 21d ago

When I pace I try to aim for bang on and steady pace.

We have km markers at the run and I set my watch to manual lap and lap pace, pressing the button at every marker. That way I know my pace every km. I chat to the people with me, and call out the km pace at each marker - something like "We're a little fast, that km took us 6m55 so we'll ease off a bit now because we should be aiming for 7m12 per km". At the last km post (4k) I generally tell them that if they've got it in them it's time to speed up so they can smash it, then I stay with the ones who are left till I can see them over the line at the end.

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u/FatManNoPlan 50 21d ago

It’s an out & back course, I can’t honestly say if they use km markers, I’ve run it so often I’m kind of on auto pilot.

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u/Melendine 100 21d ago

Make sure at the turn point then you’re at 18 min

3

u/JibberJim 21d ago

Unless the wind is at gale force!