Race day excitement is something else, isn’t it? The buzz, the nerves, the endless trips to the toilet! But before we all charge over the start line, there’s one crucial detail to get right: your starting pen.
Yep, those colour-coded or time-based corrals you might be tempted to ignore. Choosing the right pen isn’t just about convenience – it’s about safety, fairness, and making the race smoother for everyone.
What is a starting pen?
If you’re new to racing, you might be wondering what a starting pen actually is. Most races group runners into ‘pens’ ‘corrals’ or ‘waves’ at the start line based on your estimated finish time. When you register, you usually give your estimated finish, and your race number tells you which pen to join. This system helps the event run smoothly, stops congestion, and keeps runners safe by making sure everyone starts at a pace that suits them.
The problem with starting too far forward
A big issue I’ve seen lately is runners putting themselves in faster pens than their predicted finish time. I get it – you don’t want to be stuck in a crowd, or maybe you just like the vibe at the front – but it can cause more problems than you think.
Weaving around walkers and slower runners in the first few miles creates stop-starts, sudden side-steps, and a lot of frustration. More importantly, it’s a safety risk – trips and tumbles happen fast when thousands of people are trying to avoid unexpected obstacles.
And while we’re on the topic, let’s talk about the other side of this problem…
Faster runners, don’t start too far back!
If you’re speedy, starting too far back might seem harmless, but it can be just as risky. Surging through crowds disrupts other runners, throws off their rhythm, and increases the chance of collisions.
Wherever you fall on the speed scale, the safest and smoothest race is one that starts in the right pen for your pace.
How to Pick the Right Pen
Your training gives a good idea of your pace. Apps like Runna or Strava Pace Calculator are fantastic for predicting finish times accurately. Here’s how to line up correctly:
- Follow the pacers – Stick near your pacer for your target time.
- Look for signage – Many races clearly mark pens by predicted finish. Use them!
- Be honest with yourself – Jumping into a faster pen won’t help your race and isn’t fair to others.
- Remember chip timing – Most races are chip-timed, so your official race time only starts when you cross the start line, not when the gun goes off. This means you can focus on safety and comfort, rather than trying to squeeze to the front.
A few quick tips to help you line up right:
- Follow the pacers – If your race has pacers, they’re a fab guide. Aiming for a 60-minute 10K? Find that pacer and stick nearby.
- Look for signage – Many events use clear markers for predicted finish times. These aren’t just decoration – use them!
- Be honest with yourself – If you’ve trained for a 2-hour half, jumping in with the 1:30 crew won’t help your race… and it’s not fair on them either.
Speaking from personal experience… (as a pacer I face-planted at a 10K)
If you need an example of why this matters, let me take you back to a 10K I was pacing. I’d just set off, trying to keep things steady, when I ended up stuck behind a group of walkers in a line across the course who’d started nearer the front.
Lots of sidestepping and dodging later… I ended up face-first onto the tarmac. Not my proudest moment!
I’ve got all the love in the world for walkers, run-walkers, and anyone out there giving it a go – but please start in the right place. It makes the day better (and safer) for everyone.
Quick Recap: Starting Pen Tips
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing – a positive, fun, and safe race experience. Choosing the right starting pen might seem like a small detail, but it has a big impact.
- Stick to your predicted finish time
- Use pacers and signage
- Don’t cheat the system – everyone benefits
- Slightly conservative is better than over-ambitious
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a positive, fun, and safe race experience. Starting in the correct pen is a small detail that makes a big difference.
So next time you’re lining up, take a sec to check where you’re standing. Trust your training, find your pacer, and let’s make every race smoother, safer, and more enjoyable for all of us.
See you on the start line!
