A pacing strategy that survives mile 20.

Most runners go out too fast. A good pacing plan keeps your first kilometre boring so the last one isn't a disaster. Here's how to think about race-day pacing for each distance.

1 weeksRace week runs/weekAll levels

Who it's for: Anyone racing 5K, 10K, half or marathon.

Even or negative splits

Aim for even splits. If anything, slightly slower for the first quarter and a touch faster for the final third.

Don't chase the crowd

Adrenaline plus a downhill start ruins more races than poor training. Stick to your plan for the first kilometre.

When it hurts

Mile 20 of a marathon and the last 3 km of any race will hurt. Break the rest into segments and focus on the next checkpoint.

Frequently asked questions

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