All good advice.

Also, be careful about starting at an appropriate place in the pack, not too close to the front if running slower, and not too far back so as to make a large gap in the gun/chip timing (if it is being used).

I'd recommend telling everybody that you are aiming to run even splits that will get you to the finish in just under goal time, measured off the gun time. This may mean needing to run slightly faster if you have started back in the pack, to make up for any delay in crossing the start line.

Good luck, it is great fun seeing people meet their goal time at the end. :)

Stu Mac and Wombatface some people like distraction with constant conversation but it just pisses off most people. I am of the belief that there should only be comments that keep the runners focused on the race at the end. Association when it gets hard will get a better result than disassociation.

Wombatface I think 'unethical' is a little harsh considering what goes on at the elite levels of almost every international road race. Is the fact that the organisers have paid pacers make it any better? There is no doubt that Paula has had pacers help her to world records who were not interested any helping any one else, mostly because no one else was fast enough. I have more of a problem with people pacing part of the way and that happens just as much, for example bannisters 4 minute mile. Perhaps the biggest issue is pacing females by males. We had to threaten disqualification midrace at one of our women's only races because the leader was being paced by a non-entrant brother but in most mixed races it is harder to identify. Often the male who is pacing is not as good as the female anyway. I paced a group of females in the Brisbane marathon years ago who all ended up top 10 but they also all whiped my butt.

In the end ethics of pacing is a contentious issue with no black and white rules. Even the IAAF guidelines are not able to be enforced internationaly. So the question of ethics in pacing local races is not clear cut.

I ran with a 100min pace group for my first half marathon which was at Sydney 2004.
The pacer was Springer and before the start he found a good spot in the middle of the field I guess. About the right spot so we wouldn't hold people up or be forced to go too fast.

Springer did have some laminated cards that he handed out showing the splits to make 100mins.
He told us he would be stopping at all the drink stations as well.

He ran through the 10k in 48mins and then made the finish in the required time. Most of the group that started got through under the time but some faded.

Springer always encouraged us along the way.
He did make a point of starting slow so we would have enough in the tank to get home.
I ended up with a 98min gun time as I ran ahead near the end.

Springers PB I think is closer to 80mins so the 100min pace was a training run for him.
He was doing Melbourne a month later.

Steve, regarding the 'ethics' of pacing I think it has relevance for mid-pack runners - especially for those in contention for prizes.

If I were a female runner I would be upset if beaten by another female who had been paced 'evenly' (perhaps coming from behind) by a male runner or 'coach'.

On the 'talking too much' question. I agree with you Steve. It annoys the hell out of me to have a pacer (or somebody else 'just jogging') chatting continuously when I only have enough oxygen for an odd grunt or two. (w)

Brendan, I was just using that example as it's more common for females to be paced by male friends or coaches. I would be equally against a male category contender being paced by a female 'coach'.

One-on-one pacing is particularly advantageous in windy conditions.

I'm not against slower runners or beginners being paced if they are just running for a 'PB' and not competing for a prize or medal. I'm not against a faster person running 'with somebody' to show them the way or keep them company. (e)

I agree with Action in that you must have a preorganised pace set up in advance based on even pacing all the way. Having said that i have paced a 3:38 marathon in canberra 03 and the bulk of the group finished with me, we even paced for 38 k's then had a provision for a 1% per k slowdown. The group knew about the slowdown at the end and most didn't bother with it and kept on pretty well even pacing for the last 4, maybe the thought that they could slow a bit made it a little less worrying. I have paced a few 10 k's at the Striders 10 k runs and try to run even 1 k splits and if those left at 8 k are able we then pick it up for the finish, works both ways just depends on who is in the group.
Re the talking thing, I just let it happen although sometimes being a pest can take your mind off other things.
Just my thoughts.
Jim