You will often find the bigger races will provide official pacers across a variety of times. Following one of these kind, selfless individuals can come with many benefits.

Running with a group during a race can be a nice distraction and help you keep those negative thoughts away. If it’s a windy day, then tuck in behind a pacer or the group to shield yourself from the elements.

Following the correct pacer will help you run a more consistent race and ensure you don’t set off too quickly.

For smaller races or parkrun don’t be shy when it comes to asking for help. Friends of club runners often gain a lot of satisfaction from helping a fellow runner achieve a new PB.