Pace Runners
The Pat Carroll Online & Onland Pacers assist participants to their time goals in the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon and Southern Cross University 10km Run. Pacers are experienced runners who aim to maintain an even pace throughout the race with the goal to have you finishing slightly faster (30 seconds or so) than your goal time.
For easy visibility, the pace runners will be carrying a coloured balloon and a goal time sign high amongst the starting runners. Each pace runner will also wear a singlet with the goal time marked on the back. It’s important to know the start zone your pace runner will be in and ensure you choose the same start zone when you enter so you can start the race near your pace runner.
Each pace time will have at least two pace runners who will lead the pace (off net-time) whilst guiding & motivating you throughout the race.
Pacers will run to the ‘Net Time’ (also called ‘Chip Time’). Net Time is the time it takes you to complete the distance once you’ve crossed the start line. Note: Due to participant numbers, it may take several minutes to cross the start line after the gun is fired.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon Pace Times
| Pace Group | Balloon Colour | Position | Pacers TBA |
| 3 hrs | Light Blue | Front of Zone A | |
| 3 hrs 10 mins | Blue | Middle of Zone A | |
| 3 hrs 20 mins | Pink | Back of Zone A | |
| 3 hrs 30 mins | Green | Front of Zone B | |
| 3 hrs 40 mins | White | Middle of Zone B | |
| 3 hrs 50 mins | Red | Back of Zone B | |
| 4 hrs | Lime Green | Front of Zone C | |
| 4 hrs 15 mins | Yellow | Middle of Zone C | |
| 4 hrs 30 mins | Orange | Front of Zone D | |
| 4 hrs 45 mins | Lime Green | Between the 4:30 & 5hr pacers | |
| 5 hrs | Purple | Middle of Zone D | |
| 5 hrs 30 mins | Light Blue | Between the 5hr & 6hr pacers | |
| 6 hrs | Green | Between the 5:30 & Chaser pacers | |
| Chaser (6hrs 40mins)* | Blue | Back of Zone D |
*Chaser will run to gun time.
ASICS Half Marathon Pace Times
| Pace Group | Balloon Colour | Position | Pacers TBA |
| 1 hr 24mins | Light Blue | Front of Zone A | |
| 1 hr 30 mins | Blue | Middle of Zone A | |
| 1 hr 40 mins | Green | Back of Zone A | |
| 1 hr 50 mins | Red | Front of Zone B | |
| 2 hrs | Lime Green | Front of Zone C | |
| 2 hrs 10 mins | Yellow | Front of Zone D | |
| 2 hrs 20 mins | Orange | Front of Zone E | |
| Chaser (3hrs 20mins)* | Purple | Back of Zone E |
*Chaser will run to gun time.
Southern Cross University 10km Run Pace Times
| Pace Group | Balloon Colour | Position | Pacers TBA |
| 40 mins | Light Blue | Front of Zone A | |
| 50 mins | Red | Front of Zone B | |
| 60 mins | Lime Green | Front of Zone C | |
| 1 hr 10 mins | Yellow | Front of Zone D |
Want to be a pacer in 2022?
To adequately carry out the pace runner role you’ll need to be able to comfortably run the pace you’ve nominated for. You also need to be prepared to offer encouragement and motivate runners. All pace runners will receive a race entry to their designated race and a pacer singlet.
RUNNERS. TAG YOUR PHOTOS WITH #GCM22