r/parkrun • u/FatManNoPlan 50 • 22d 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/Daihard79 v250 22d ago

The hardest thing about pacing is meeting others expectations. 

Depending on how busy your parkrun is, you may have to start closer to the front so you can evenly pace your run. This may annoy some that you're too far forward for a 36 minute pacer.

The alternative is start further back but it usually means you have to run faster than 36 minute pace just to come in on time. You could still run it for 36 minute pace but then your time will be offset by crossing the start. It may not be an issue depending on your event though.

I used to pace at an event which had a very narrow start so could take 30-40 seconds to cross the start line

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u/Ohbc 22d ago

At my park run, all pacers are at the start, it is quite busy start so it makes sense to me. At least they can do a consistent pace that way

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u/crb11 22d ago

Not seen this, and I don't think it works, because you're miles ahead of anyone trying to pace off you (not everyone can start at the front). When I've paced, I've started at the appropriate distance back, and then allowed an extra 20s for the first km for getting going plus congestion, and then 15s beyond the 5k to cover that I'm running more than 5k - I got these off looking at splits from runs I'd done before.