General FAQs
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| 1. |
What is a Pace Group? |
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A Pace Group is a number of runners working together to achieve a shared time goal. The group is lead by a Pacer who is experienced in running marathons and running with groups of people. Whether you are trying to set a PB, qualify for another race, or just get across the finish line a Pace Group is the way to go! |
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| 2. |
Will there be Pacers at this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon? |
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Team FatBird will offer Pace Groups at the SCSM09 for the Marathon and Half Marathon. Our Team is comprised of experienced distance runners who love helping fellow runners realize their goals. Many of our Pacers return year after year to help you enjoy the marathon experience and achieve your running goal. Think of them as your coach-on-the-run! |
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| 3. |
What Pace Groups will be offered? |
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Team FatBird will offer the following Pace Groups, subject to availability of suitable and committed Pacer candidates.
Groups will be leading to finish the Half marathon in the following times:
2:00, 2:15, 2:30
Groups will be leading to finish the Full marathon in the following times:
3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 6:00 |
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| 4. |
How were the Pacers chosen? |
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All of our Pacers were chosen because of their serious, multi-marathon experience, a number with proven successes as Pace Team leaders for several marathons. All of the Pacers have both competitive marathoning and running backgrounds. Our Pacers are dynamic and personable, and know from past experience exactly what it takes to help you have a great marathon experience. |
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| 5. |
What pace per km will the pacers run and how do they keep the pace consistent? |
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We will be mostly running "even effort" which means that every km will be run at approximately the same pace. The first few km are always a bit slow, due to the crowds. The Pacers may use their discretion in adjust the pace to cater for varying terrain. Our goal is to run continually even splits, and when course conditions prevent this, we will make up any lost time over the entirety of the race, not over one or two km. |
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| 6. |
Are the pacers going to go right out on pace? |
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Sometimes it is crowded at the start line and may take a couple of km to settle into a steady pace. Most importantly our Pacers won't take runners out too fast and burn up all their energy early on.
Team FatBird Pacers will be trained on pacing techniques and how to keep a consistent pace, ensuring that their groups make their time goal!
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Pacer Training FAQs
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| 1. |
What are the Pacer Training runs about? |
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Team FatBird Pacers go through a 12-week Marathon Pacer Training Program to learn how to run at a steady pace according to set Pace targets. Pacers are tasked to Pace timings based on having a buffer of 15-30min away from their Personal Best timings in a marathon. Pacees will be invited to run along with the Pacers from week 8 to train with the group of their targeted completion time on race day. |
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| 2. |
Where do the pacers train and how often are the trainings? |
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There will be weekday runs in the city (twice a week), as well as long weekend runs from Team FatBird's Nest in the East Coast Park area (The PlayGround @ Big Splash). |
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| 3. |
What is the training plan for your pacers leading up to the event day? |
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Team FatBird has a 12-week marathon training program to prepare the marathon pacers to pace runners to achieve targets of 3:45h, 4:00h, 4:15h, 4:30h, 4:45h, 5:00h, 5:15h, 5:30h and 6:00h for the full marathon (42km) and targets of 2:00h, 2:15h, 2:30h for the half marathon (21km) distances. The Marathon Pacers are into their 7th week of training.
For details please refer to Team FatBird's website at www.teamfatbird.com. |
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Race Day FAQs
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| 1. |
How many pacers will there be on event day? |
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There will be a total of 50 Pacers on race day, 38 pacing the full marathon and 12 the half marathon. There are 10 ladies in the team spread across the various pace groups. |
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| 2. |
How can I identify the pacers on the event day? |
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The Pacers will be decked out in New Balance gear and shoes, with 'TEAM FATBIRD PACING' printed on the front and pace timings marked out on the backs of the red tops. Different colored balloons signifying the different pace groups will be worn by the Pacers. More information on identification of The Team FatBird Marathon Pacers will be furnished nearer to Race Day. Details of the Pacers activities can be found at the website http://www.teamfatbird.com/pacer09/. |
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| 3. |
Where can I find the pacers on the event day? |
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The Pacers will be lined up at the start line according to their respective pace timing groups. There will be a gathering point near to start point for the runners to meet-up with the pacers before proceeding to their respective corals/pens.
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| 4. |
What will the Pacer do at the water stations? |
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Most Pacers will run through the water stations and maintain pace. Each Pacer will let the team know his/her strategy for getting through the water stations. Some Pacers may choose to slow down or walk through the stops depending upon the group. Be sure to check with your Pacer if this is extremely important to you so that you are not surprised if they don't walk these stations. |
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| 5. |
Will there be walking breaks? |
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Your pacer will maintain even splits right through the water stops. However, we want you to run your race as you have planned and trained. If you trained with walk breaks, race morning is not the time to make a change. Use the Pacer as a guide and take your walk breaks just as you did in training. Since even splits are maintained throughout the race, you should be able to take walk breaks and still spend time in the presence of your Pacer, as you will continually "meet up" over the course of the race. |
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| 6. |
Do Runners/Pacees have to stay with the Pacer for the entire race? |
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No. Run your own race and enjoy yourself. If you are feeling great and want to run faster, go for it. If it's not turning out to be your day slow down. Pacees can always drop back to the next Pace Group. Just know that the Pacer will not speed up or slow down for the group but rather stick to the goal pace. |
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| 7. |
Who can I contact if I want to find out more? |
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Please contact Anthony Sum, Chief FatBird (anthony.sum@teamfatbird.com), for any details and activities of Team FatBird. For more information and general enquiries, visit the Pacers' website at http://www.teamfatbird.com/pacer09/ or drop a note to info@teamfatbird.com |
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