The Runner's Edge Marathon and Half Marathon Pacers
Helping you have a great time while running a great time!
We are happy to introduce the addition of the Runner's Edge pace teams for the Olathe Half Marathon & Marathon. Our pacers have been carefully chosen and promise to do something that most marathons don't - set an intelligent pace given our course terrain to increase the likelihood of you achieving your goal. Most marathons let their pacers do whatever they want with the results being hit-or-miss at best. Sure, they may come in at their designated time, but there's not too many participants that finish with them. Why? Besides the obvious reason of people choosing a goal that is too ambitious there are also 3 tactical mistakes within the control of the pacer.
Even pace doesn't work - An even pace doesn't allow people to warm up properly. When not warmed up, the body is inefficient at converting fuel to energy - it takes about 15-20 minutes or 2 miles. As a result, people use up too much of their glycogen (sugar stored in the muscles) and virtually assure themselves of hitting the dreaded wall sooner into the race.
Even pace on a rolling course definitely doesn't work - Maintaining the same pace uphills will waste many folks while failing to go faster on downhills is a wasted opportunity to use gravity to one's advantage. Instead, our pacers will rely more on even 'effort' which means you'll naturally and appropriately slow down and speed up according to the terrain.
Rushing through the aid stations - This doesn't allow people to replenish adequately, especially in the first third of the race when people are most apt to deal with crowded aid stations. The reality is that the early aid stations are the most critical for optimal performance.
Our pacers are instructed to avoid these common errors so more of you can finish with them.
Why join a pace team? It's so much easier to let someone else set the pace (especially someone who will do so intelligently) and simply follow along. The synergy of the group helps you conserve your energy and you can also take turns blocking any potential headwind further sparing energy. Besides, it's a lot more fun to tackle this challenge with others and our pacers promise to keep you entertained as well as on track.
Pace Teams - In the marathon, we have pacers for 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00, and 5:10. In the half marathon, we have pacers for 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:25, and 2:30.
The Olathe pacers are an all star team of sorts with their running backgrounds and positive personalities. Combine that with an intelligent gameplan and you have a winner! We'll share a little about each of them and post their photo on our website so you'll know who to look for when meeting up with your specific pacer. There will be an opportunity to meet them at the pacer booth at the expo/packet pickup as well as to pick up a complimentary pace band. On race morning, they'll be easy to spot with their pace signs, We encourage you to take advantage of this major perk!
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