Pacers help runners achieve half marathon goals at Garmin Race Your Pace

Race report: Garmin Race Your Pace Half Marathon - February 28, 2015

Garmin Race Your Pace returned this morning at the modern, calm surroundings of Eton Dorney. This annual half marathon gives runners of mixed abilities the opportunity to focus on perfecting their pace per mile, using a mix of technology and pacers to prevent the age old problem of peaking too soon.

The klaxon rang out at bang on 10.00 am with a sea of bobbing heads setting off alongside the sprawling lake. It didn’t take long for the pacers, running between six and twelve minutes per mile, to spread themselves out with many of the pack carefully following their new leader.

Lots of the 600 strong field were using this run as preparation for a full marathon in the spring. Sponsors Garmin had offered to supply state of the art timing devices to all runners for free to help them keep pace. It was obvious from the many runners throwing glances at their wrists that a large number had taken up their offer.

It was fascinating watching the determined faces of the frontrunners as they strode off at blistering pace. With ZipFit energy products available after each of the four laps of the lake to keep everybody going, along with cheers from the gathered spectators outside the boathouse.

The clear winner of the male category was William Mcnulty, who completed the entire 13.1 miles in 1:14:12. Luke Wigman and Andrew Snook claimed second and third respectively finishing a few minutes behind William. First back for the females in 1:26:38 was Sarah Dudgeon with Laura Hales following less than a minute behind. Sarah Rock completed the top three with all mentioned picking up prizes.

Soon finishing line was busy with many happy faces crossing to applause and acclaim. Every person who finished received a specially designed medal, along with some Spatone to aid their recovery. The Garmin Pace Team stuck to their planned pace per mile perfectly, one again proving to be the best in the business. They will be back to help more runners in a fortnight for the much anticipated Lidl kingston Breakfast Run on Sunday 15 March.

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full results