RW Pacing Groups

Redhead

As this is my first FLM I have no idea what the start is like other than what I've seen on TV.

I was wondering whether to attach myself to one of the RW pacing groups but then I wondered how on earth you locate them in such a massive crowd?

Anyone run with them before?

CraigB

Below is a grab from the pacing page...

Our pacers will be in the following start pens:

7:00/mile - pen number 1
7:30/mile - pen number 2
8:00/mile - pen number 3
8:30/mile - pen number 4
9:00/mile - pen number 5
10:00/mile - pen number 7
11:00/mile - pen number 8
Get-you-round - pen number 9

CraigB

They also have the pace time on long sticks at the start so you can see them....

Redhead

Thanks Craig but where are the start pens? Can you just wander off to find them?

CraigB

They are all very clearly marked at the starts with massive placards you really can't miss them....As long as you go backwards in pen numbers ie you are allocated pen 2 but you want to go into pen 4 to join a pacer you'll have no problem....

[Deleted User]

At the Start: Big placards showing where they are within the starting pens.

During the race: typically they will be running with some helium ballons on bits of string and/or small flags indicating target time on the end of a "whip aerial"

Bear in mind they will be starting in the pen which equates to their target time. i.e. if you want to hook up with the "sub-4" pacing group, as long as you have put this as your predicted time, you will be in the same starting pen.

Last year I arrived late and therefore, although I was in the same pen as my intended pacing group, they were quite a way forward from me at the start. I took it easy and kept them in my sights, eventually catching them around the 11 mile mark.

Redhead

Do you know how the pens are allocated? Presumably it's based on your time?

[Deleted User]

purely on your predicted race time.

CraigB

Yup, there will bit a little round stickeron your race number which tells you....

Redhead

Aha, all is clear now. Thanks for your help.

lardass

I didn't see them last year...

[Deleted User]

Lardass,

The fastest pacing group was only doing 7min miles, so you probably left them in your vapour trail.

cougie

I'd still make plans to pace yourself though RH - in case you lose them en route or something. You can print out a pace band that tells you where you should be at such and such a time.

Redhead

Good idea Cougie, thanks.

Redhead

As I put my estimated time as 4:55 I suppose I'll be in the 'why on earth are you bothering you're not a real runner' pen ;-)))

Dips

There is usually a 11 min mile pacer, last year he was in pen 8, easy enough to find him at the blue start if that is where u are.

lardass

Rocks, how true, but surely I'd have seen 'em on my second lap??

[Deleted User]

With you on that... personally I'll be using the jog home for a warm-down. After all, Guildford isn't too far.

I_want_240

Hi

I'm in Pen 9 but I'm targetting sub 4hrs / 9.00min/mile.... Should I panic? Am I going to get stuck in traffic? Am I going to be able to see the 9.00min/mile pacer at the start...

(Not sure why I'm in Pen 9 - have a charity place and can't remember submitting an estimated time...)

Thanks

[Deleted User]

May be a silly question but are the pacers in red start pens or blue start pens??

Any ideas? Thanks...

Daniel Benson.

Arf,

not a silly question at all. We'll be in both red and blue starts.

Dan RW

[Deleted User]

I'm intrigued by the pacers. What a great but tough job.

I'm guessing that the pacers are all selected so as to be able to comfortably cope with the pace and run well within themselves.... which means the sub 3:00 pacer must be uber fit )

I'm in pen 4 and can't decide to whether to follow the 3:30 guy in front or run my own race for around 3:45. Hmmm, maybe wait and see how warm it is first!

[Deleted User]

Dan
Thanks - very helpful