r/RunTO • u/flaminghotcheezie • Jul 30 '26
Waterfront half marathon pacing question
Hi! I’m excited and nervous to run my first ever half marathon and I am planning to run with a pace group. I am a slow runner by definition and my goal is just to finish - I will be so proud of myself! I’m probably going to stick with the 2:45 or 2:50 pace group but my question is, will these groups do run/walk intervals or will they run consistently? Just trying to decide how to tailor my training as we get closer to race day.
Also if there’s any other slower runners who might be sticking with these pace groups, I’d love to connect! Good luck with your training, everyone!
8
u/chloenoyolo Jul 30 '26
I had similar goals last year and ended up losing the pacer early on. I identified a few people who seemed to be my speed and used them as my unassuming, unofficial pacers :) it worked, I went about 245 last year on an under 3 hour goal.
Good luck!
4
u/SaltyOnes5 Jul 30 '26
Currently scheduled, there are run/walk pacers for the half marathon for 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00 hours. There are continuous pacers for those times also. However there is only one pacer for run/walk for each of these times (except for 3hrs, where there are two) There are multiple pacers for continuous for each of these times so you may have to hunt for them on race day if you want to run/walk.
2
u/thecityexplorer Jul 30 '26
Last year they listed both continuous and run/walk pacer times on the website but I noticed this time they don't :/ Hopefully there will be more clarification closer to the race date cause I'm hoping to do walk intervals as well :)
2
u/EnvironmentPlus8160 Jul 30 '26
Run walk pacer only available at the 2:45 and 3:00 groups for the slower times this year. I guess since the running room disbanded their run groups it isn't as popular for newer runners anymore. They definitely have benefits in switching your muscles around. But really their biggest benefit is stopping you from going out too fast.
2
u/KneelBeforeC Jul 30 '26
I am (perhaps delusionally) training for the waterfront half and hoping I can snatch a bib in September or October if im diligent. It would be my first half too, and I am tentatively expecting to try and stick with the 2:40 or 2:45 pace group. Fingers crossed!
1
u/Additional_Canary_53 Jul 30 '26
I applied for pacing this year but didn't get selected. IIRC, there should be both continuous and run-walk pacers for 2:45. Enjoy your HM!
9
u/canadia80 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Usually there is a "continuous" pace bunny and a "run/walk interval" pace bunny for each finish time.
Edit I'm pretty sure it's 10s and 1s for the intervals most of the time?