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Pacer
Rating
A pacer is an experienced volunteer runner at a race who runs at a steady, predetermined pace (for example, "finish in 4:00") and carries a sign or a balloon with the target time.
In detail
Pacers help participants avoid having to plan their own pacing — it's enough to stay close to the right pacer group, and your final time will be close to the stated one. At major marathons there are usually several pacers with different target times (for example, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:30).
How to use it
If this is your first race at the distance or you're not confident in your pacing plan — stick with a pacer whose time is a bit more conservative than your optimistic goal.