600 closed door bunny pace walk run combined new running style first experience

The 2018 Guilin Marathon saw over 25,000 participants from 31 countries and regions around the world, as well as from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China, gather in the historic and culturally rich city of Guilin to run together! I was fortunate to be one of the official pacers, and our group of four 600 pacers included Guanmen Dao, Gaizi, Haimei, and the Kenyan Elf. Our task was to follow a new run-walk pacing strategy—run for 10 minutes, walk for 1 minute!

The origin of the run-walk strategy

The 2018 Guilin Marathon pacers adopted a new pacing strategy of running for 10 minutes and walking for 1 minute. This new method was inspired by pacing strategies used in international marathons.This was the first time the organizer, Guangzhou Zhongti Sports, tried this method in a domestic marathon. The main goal was to help more runners finish within the allotted time.

Various feelings and experiences

The four of us felt like we were constantly calculating time and pacing, busy but enjoying it. The run-walk strategy couldn't follow a strict 600 pace of 8:31; we had to run at a pace of 8:10 or faster for 10 minutes and then walk at around 9:30 for one minute.On the road, we all took turns timing the run or walk intervals. We were a team, cooperating and moving forward together.

Thanks to the half-marathon 300 pacer Qiaoni for the beautiful photos.

At first, many runners didn't understand this new pacing strategy. In the first few kilometers, we heard comments like, 'The pacers are already walking?' Every 10 minutes, we would shout, 'Quick walk for 1 minute to adjust.' After 1 minute, we would call out, 'Start running!''

Many runners gave us strange looks and questioned us:

'You're running too fast!''

'Your pace is off!''

'Why are you walking?''

'How can you keep running like this?''

......

Even after the race, on the train, and in running groups, people complained:

'The pacers were just walking for fun today~''

'The pacers were like rogue rabbits today; their pace was completely off!''

'The pacers kept walking and running; let's file a complaint~''

Some runners asked us why we were running this way. We, the pacers, were prepared for such questions when we accepted this pacing task, sowe patiently explained, basically answering questions throughout the race.

Thanks to the photographer Le'er from Aiyundong for the beautiful photos in the heavy rain.

In the last 10 kilometers, more runners gradually gathered around us, forming a pacer group. These runners were mostly very tired and probably didn't have the energy to question us anymore. They relied on their willpower to follow us, but when they heard us shout, 'Quick walk for 1 minute to adjust,' they immediately responded, 'Wow, finally we can walk.'

On the road, I specifically interviewed the runners who followed us to the finish line about their views on the run-walk pacing strategy. Their responses were:

'It's great. I was always worried I wouldn't be able to keep going and didn't dare to walk. Seeing you call for walking and accompanying us forward gave me peace of mind.''

This pacing strategy is still very suitable forrunners aiming to finish within the cutoff time. The reasons are:It respects the objective fact that runners aiming to finish within the cutoff time will inevitably walk in the later stages, and it encourages and motivates them to keep running regularly.

I agree with Zhongti's introduction of the run-walk pacing strategy. I suggest continuing to promote this new method vigorously so that runners aiming to finish within the cutoff time can truly understand and appreciate its advantages and benefits.

Overall, I think this pacing strategy is beneficial for runners aiming to finish within the cutoff time. These runners are just barely able to finish within the cutoff time, and they will definitely need to walk in the later stages. However, many people, once they start walking, can no longer run again, making it impossible to finish on time.The run-walk pacing strategygives them peace of mind,encourages and motivates them to keep running and not be disqualified.

The new pacing strategy showed good results in the Guilin Marathon, at least as a bold attempt. Some areas still need improvement, such aspreparing a sign that explains the pacing strategy so that runners can understand it at a glance. A whistle should also be prepared to signal the switch between running and walking.

This method is particularly helpful for first-time marathon participants in the 500 and slower pace groups and for those who are slightly behind but still want to finish. It provides guidance and support, helping more runners finish safely and successfully.

Thanks to the Vice Mayor of Guilin for personally awarding medals to us pacers.

This year's Guilin Marathon featured mixed zones for full and half marathon runners and strict zone inspections. All full and half marathon runners were lined up according to their speed, with faster runners at the front. This avoided the hassle of weaving through crowds and allowed runners to perform their best, while also reducing the risk of collisions and accidents at the start.

After we 600 pacers crossed the finish line, many people questioned why there were still many runners behind us. Were they all disqualified? To clarify, this year's Guilin Marathon had a zoned start, and we pacers recorded gun time, while the runners recorded net time. Since we started at the front, the runners behind us were not all disqualified.

The 2018 Guilin Marathon pacers Haimei, Guanmen Dao, Gaizi, and the Kenyan Elf, we kept it simple, running and walking through wind and rain, just to help more runners finish safely!

Guanmen Dao says he's the most handsome, so we must show his results.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section~