Placement for the start of races

[WVUFan]

At Disney races, I know what corral I am in, and I figure others around me are more or less the same speed. I'm having problems figuring out where to start at other races. It is helpful when they have signs for approximate paces, but what do you do when they don't have any guidelines? The last longer race I ran had 2500 people with a narrow course at times, and the first four miles were spent dodging people. I know I don't belong in the front, but how do you figure out where you do belong?

Thanks!

 

[johde]

There are several things you can do. First, does the race have pace groups. If it does, you can line up near the pacer that matches your goal pace. Second, if the race has been run before, look at last years results to get idea where you would have finished. Third, chat up people around you at the start and see what there goal is. If alot of people are faster, move back, if they are slower move up.

 

[scoolover]

I line up based on where I historically finish in similar races. During local 5K's I typically finish about 1/4 of the way down the trsults page. That is where I will line up. For longer races, I finish farther back so I start a little farther back. For a PR attempt last year I started right up front and got my PR!

 

[windwalker]

I'm a race walker so when I do a race that is chip timed I start at the back, that way I'm continually passing the slower runners and walk/runners and I don't get in anyones way. If it's a race without chip timing I still line up toward the back and stay on the far left side.

Dave

 

[cewait]

WVU,

I always ask what pace everyone is as I enter the masses. I then adjust my position so that I am in around folks who are about a minute a mile faster than my expected pace.... Usually works out just right, since everyone "adjusts" their pace a bit when jockeying for corral position.

 

[WVUFan]

Thank you all for the adivce!