Pace Team Presented By Champion

Welcome to the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Pace Team. As a benefit to the marathon runners we will be offering pace teams led by experienced pacers for a wide variety of times including many of the Boston qualifying standards. We hope you will find this support useful as you strive to achieve your marathon goals. Click here for Pace Team biographies.

What pace groups will be offered?  
Groups will be led to finish the marathon in the following times:3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30 and ending at 5:00. Please check with us at the Expo to see if we've added any times. Sign-up for pace groups is held at the Expo.

Who are the Pace Group Leaders?
Pacers are experienced marathoners that will lead, coach, and cheer you through the race as they help you achieve your goal.

What pace group should I be in?
The best way to select the proper pace group is to consult the Race Prediction charts at www.MarathonGuide.com. There you can base your desired finish time on a previous shorter race you’ve completed this season. It’s very important not to start out to fast in the marathon and to select the proper pace based on your actual previous performance.

Are there Pace Groups for the Half Marathon ?
Yes. Because both the half marathon and the marathon start at 7:00 , they will use the same pace groups. The half marathon breaks off at mile 9 so we’ll make sure you’re on pace and don’t go out too fast.

Is there a cost to participate?  
Participation is free to all registered marathon and half marathon participants.

What pace per mile will we run?  
We will be running "even splits," which means that every mile will be run at approximately the same pace.

Are we going to go right out on pace?  
Our goal is to get right out on pace, however, because the first mile can be crowded, this is sometimes not possible. Any time lost to a slow start will be made up slowly over the remaining miles. We will definitely not take you out too fast.

How do I meet up with my Pace Team on race morning?  
We'll be as close to the starting line as we can get, in order of our finishing times. We'll be holding up large signs with our goal finishing times printed on them and we'll be wearing our Pace Team uniforms. Try to meet up with your group half an hour before the start. Ten minutes before the start, your Pacer will give their "final instructions." This will include your Pacer's method of keeping the group together after the water stops.

Will we walk through the water stations?  
The Pacer will usually slow down or walk through the water stops.

Will there be walking breaks?  
No, although the Pacer may walk through water stops. If you have trained with walking breaks or adhere to the Galloway run-walk program, you can use the group and Pace Leader as a guide. Since even splits will be maintained throughout, you will be able to take walk breaks yourself (or with a group within the group that chooses to), and still spend a majority of the race in the presence of your Pacer, as you will continually "meet up" over the course of the race.

Do I have to stay with the team the entire time?  
No you don’t. If you feel great at the start of the race that’s normal and you should stay with the group through the halfway point. Then you can consult with the group leader on an appropriate strategy for the second half of the race. If it's just not your day, slow down, take some walking breaks and work your way to the finish line. If you’re trying to hit a PR the best advice we can give you is to stick next to your pace leader for the whole race.

Are the pacers going to run the entire marathon?  
Yes, absolutely.

What should I do after the race?
Stay on your feet, walk around for 15-30 minutes, and eat and drink to replenish your exhausted body. After you’re home, sit down and email your race story to me at PacerJiim@hotmail.com. Begin planning for your next marathon. When stopped at the airport metal detector exclaim, “Oh that must be my St. Louis Marathon medal.” Wear your medal to bed.

© 2006 by James L. Crist. No part of this may be reproduced without permission.