Pace Leaders

Pace leaders help racers achieve their time goals and are an integral part of the Asheville Marathon & Half!

We will have a full team of pacers for each race in 2024!

PACE LEADERS

We realize that completing a Full Marathon or Half Marathon is a huge life-event! In anticipation, many allow themselves to get caught up in the moment, firing out at the gun with reckless abandon, only to quickly fizzle out: undermining their training, their strategy, and their big day as a whole.

With that in mind, we want to do all we can to help make those 26 miles and the .2 that follow as positive as possible, as well as the 13 miles and the .1 that follows for the half marathoners.

Marathon & Half Pace Groups

Looking for a Boston Marathon qualifying time? Trying to achieve a PR (personal best)? Just want to make sure you beat the course time-limit?

The Asheville Marathon Pace Team leaders can help you achieve your finish time goal!

8 pace group divisions for the Asheville Marathon:

3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00, and 5:15

5 pace group divisions for the Asheville Half Marathon:

1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45

FAQs

DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR A PACE TEAM?

No. You can meet your pacer in advance at the expo, or just look for your pace team leader on race morning. Each pace team leader will have a sign at the race start with their finish time goal. Arrive early!

MEETING YOUR PACE TEAM LEADER BEFORE THE EVENT?

Learn about the Pace Team leaders at the Pace Team booth at the Asheville Marathon Expo at the DoubleTree Hotel on March 15th.

WILL THE PACE TEAM LEADERS STOP AT AID STATIONS?

Your pacer will encourage you to take fluids but will maintain a steady pace through the aid stations. If you wish to walk at the aid stations, walk briskly and then very gradually catch up to your group. Do not sprint to catch up as this uses energy inefficiently.

WHAT IF I NEED TO TAKE A PORTA-POTTY BREAK?

The same principle applies as is described in the walking break scenarios above. Gradually catch up to your group afterward.

WHAT IS THE PACE TEAM LEADERS’ RACE DAY STRATEGY?

The goal of all Asheville Marathon and Half pacers is to run even splits from start to finish, with slight variations based on terrain.

WHAT IF RACE DAY WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE BAD?

The Pace Team Leaders are capable of running their goal times even in poor weather conditions. Pacers will make every effort to maintain their goal pace, even if the weather turns south! Depending on your fitness, you might want to adjust your goal time to a slower group.

WHAT IF THE PACE TEAM LEADER HAS AN UNEXPECTED PROBLEM?

Some of the larger groups will have two Pace Team Leaders. Still, you never know what might happen during a marathon, even for Leaders prepared to go much faster. Hopefully among your group there will be others willing to share leadership responsibilities if the need arises. Also, remember that the synergy & energy of your group plays an important role. Stick together, stay positive, and carry on!

Interested in becoming a pacer?

Contact us at support@idaph.net for information on how to become a pacer.