At the Marathon this year, I made what seemed like the smartest choice: I joined a pacer group.The logic was simple: no need to think about pace, no stress over my watch, just stick with the flag, fuel every 40 minutes, and enjoy the ride. What could go wrong? A lot, as it turns out.
The Trap of the Perfect Pace
Pacers are usually strong, experienced runners. The pace they hold for 42.2 km is often well below their true ability. My pacers were aiming for 3:17 (4:40/km). For them, this was an easy cruise. For me? It was the edge of my limits.
The first 20 km felt fantastic. The group was buzzing, the pace was steady, and I thought: This is it. I’m going to nail my goal.
But by the time I hit 30 km, my body disagreed. My “steady” pace suddenly became unsustainable. Each kilometer slowed by 30–40 seconds. The pacer flag disappeared into the distance. I even had to walk.
And that’s when I realized: running with a pacer is not always the shortcut it seems.
Group Pacers vs. Reality
Here’s the thing: group pacers run for the clock, not for you. They can’t check your heart rate, they don’t know if you fueled properly, and they won’t slow down if you’re struggling.
They’re a metronome. And if you’re not ready for that rhythm, you’ll pay for it.
There are also individual pacers — people who run just for you. They monitor how you feel, remind you to take a gel, adjust the tempo if needed. That’s like having a coach on race day. But for most amateurs, it’s a luxury, not an option.
What I Learned the Hard Way
Looking back, here’s what would have saved me:
Start slower than you think. Even if you feel great, your body will thank you after 30 km.
Choose a pacer with a slower target time. If it feels too easy, you can always speed up later.
Run by heart rate, not by the clock. Your body doesn’t care about 4:40/km — it cares about energy.
Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to leave the group if the pace isn’t working for you.
The Bottom Line
Pacers aren’t bad. For experienced runners, they’re a brilliant tool to save energy and stay consistent. But for many amateurs, they can become a trap — pulling you into a pace you’re not ready to hold.
In the end, the best pacer you can have is already with you: yourself.