A pace team is a group of runners who run together during the Chevron Houston Marathon. They share the same finish time goal (from three hours to six hours) and help one another stay on pace. Running together gives the group a collective energy and enthusiasm that supports and enhances everybody's marathon experience.
The pace team is led by the Houston Marathon Veterans, both men and women, with at least 10 years experience running the Chevron Houston Marathon. They provide runners with a unique opportunity to interact face-to-face with Veteran runners as well as to experience the camaraderie of a team.
The Houston Marathon Veterans Pace Team leaders make sure everyone runs at the right pace and has a good time. They act as each team's personal coach, cheerleader and guru for the race. Some chant and sing while others may struggle just like you. But all of them are experienced marathoners who are running Houston to help each member of their team achieve their goal time.
Last year's Veterans Pace Team leaders had a combined 1,663 marathon and ultra-marathon finishes and more than 615 total years of running experience. Click here for details about the Pace Team leaders for our 2010 events.
Click here for individual profiles for the 2010 Pace Team leaders!
You bet! The Veterans Pace Team is similar to other pace teams which have successfully led thousand of runners to complete marathons on pace at St. George, Big Sur, Chicago, Marine Corps and all the Rock N Roll races. These participants tell us that the pace teams make the marathon more fun and exciting than they could have imagined.
| Finish Time (hours) |
Pace Per Mile (min.) |
| 3:00 |
6:52 |
| 3:10 |
7:15 |
| 3:20 |
7:38 |
| 3:30 |
8:00 |
| 3:40 |
8:23 |
| 3:50 |
8:47 |
| 4:00 |
9:09 |
| 4:15 |
9:44 |
| 4:30 |
10:18 |
| 4:45 |
10:52 |
| 5:00 |
11:27 |
| 5:15 |
12:01 |
| 5:30 |
12:35 |
| 6:00 |
13:44 |
Just drop by the Veterans Pace Team booth at the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute EXPO on Friday, January 28, and Saturday, January 29, to get information. (Note: Registration is not mandatory to participate. If you cannot make it to the booth, you are still welcome to join a pace team on race day.)
The Veterans Pace Team booth will have additional information and a detailed schedule of when and where the special pre-race orientation clinic with the Veterans will be held.
At the clinic, we'll introduce the Veterans Pace Team members who will lead the pace teams. We'll go over everything you need to know (like how to find your team on race day morning). Veterans Pace Team personnel will also answer general questions from attendees on race preparation, strategies and other related topics.
We'll have big Veterans Pace Team signs in the start area. All Veteran pacers will be nearby wearing distinctive yellow visors and red singlets, and carrying red, white and blue balloons. Plan on getting there approximately 15 minutes before start time to find your team and get organized. All pace team leaders will wear a respective "Pace Goal" sign identifying the goal time for their team.
More or less. Some pacers go out a little slower the first half of the race and try to do "negative splits." Others go out just a little faster to build some "cushion" just in case people have to slow down at the end. Either way, the idea is to run EVEN. That's what pacing is all about.
This depends on the pace leader. Most pace leaders will at least slow down at the water stations to make sure everyone gets properly hydrated. Some will stop and walk a few meters. Your pace leader will let you know the plan at the clinic and the team strategy will be reviewed before the start of the race.
Again, this depends on the pace leader. We will be encouraging walking as an important part of the marathon pace team. Most pacers will take walking breaks. Some will stop and walk a few meters at the water stations, for example. Your pace leader will let you know the plan at the clinic and the team strategy will be reviewed before the start of the race. | 
