PACE TEAM

Our Pace Team is an extension of our volunteer team.

Pacers are experienced runners who know the courses and how to keep you going! They’re an incredible resource to help you finish your race at your goal time.

Applications are now open for our 2027 Pace Team, including opportunities for both Pacers and Medical Support Runners.

If you’re an experienced runner and/or hold a relevant medical qualification and want to be part of the event in a hands-on capacity, we’d love to hear from you.

Note on selection: We have a limited number of positions available. To provide opportunities to new pacers, priority will be given to applicants who meet the requirements and have not previously paced at Ballarat Marathon.

APPLY HERE

RUNNING WAREHOUSE MARATHON:

  • 2h 40mins

  • 2h 50mins

  • 3h 00mins

  • 3h 10mins

  • 3h 20mins

  • 3h 30mins

  • 3h 40mins

  • 3h 50mins

  • 4h 00mins

  • 4h 10mins

  • 4h 20mins

  • 4h 30mins

  • 5h 00mins

  • 5h 30mins

2027 Pace Groups

You’ll find pacers for the following finish times:

FED UNI HALF MARATHON

The Marathon and Half Marathon start together and share the same course, so Half Marathon participants can run with Marathon pacers. For example, if you're chasing a 1h 20min Half Marathon, you can join the 2h 40min Marathon pacer for their first lap.

  • 1h 20mins

  • 1h 25mins

  • 1h 30mins

  • 1h 35mins

  • 1h 40mins

  • 1h 45mins

  • 1h 50mins

  • 1h 55mins

  • 2h 00mins

  • 2h 10mins

  • 2h 20mins

  • 2h 30mins

EPIJOINT 10KM:

  • 40mins

  • 45mins

  • 50mins

  • 55mins

  • 60mins

  • 65mins

  • 70mins

GYG 5KM:

  • 20mins

  • 22mins 30secs

  • 25mins

  • 27mins 30 secs

  • 30mins

  • 32mins 30 secs

  • 35mins

HOW IT WORKS:

  • Pacers are experienced runners who help you achieve your goal time. They give you someone to follow, provide great vibes and encouragement and help you stay on track towards the finish line.

  • Look for the pacer flags in your corral at the start line. Each pacer will carry a clearly marked flag, wear a pacer bib displaying their target finish time and be identifiable by their pacer uniform.

    Pacers are allocated to corrals based on their target finish time, just like participants. There may be multiple pacers for the same finish time, particularly in the Marathon and Half Marathon, with pacers spread across different corrals.

    We'll publish a list of pacers and their allocated corrals closer to the event so you can plan ahead and know where to find your pacer on race morning.

  • Medical Support Runners are qualified medical professionals who take to the course to provide an additional level of support to participants. They combine their running ability with their medical knowledge, helping identify and respond to medical concerns as they arise. Medical Support Runners are not a replacement for our dedicated medical teams but provide an additional point of support out on course.

  • Medical Support Runners will be identifiable by a green flag displaying 'Medical Support' and will be allocated primarily towards the middle and back of the field. As our course is a lap course, you'll likely see them at various points throughout your race. If you need assistance, you can approach a Medical Support Runner or alert a course marshal or volunteer, who can help contact the medical team.

  • Absolutely! Our Pacer Stand will be located at Selkirk Stadium as part of the Sport & Leisure Expo. You'll have the opportunity to meet the pacers, ask questions and get some advice ahead of race day. We encourage you to drop by during the Expo.

  • Our pacers aim to maintain a consistent pace throughout the event to help you achieve your target finish time.

    Pacers run to chip time (net time), not gun time.

    We try to get as close to the target time as possible, but Pacers are regular humans too, so expect minor variations in pace along the way.

  • Absolutely. You're welcome to run with a pacer for as much or as little of the race as you like. You don't need to stay with the same group for the entire event.

  • No - it’s totally up to you. Pacers are there as a resource to help you work towards your goal time. You're welcome to use them for guidance, run alongside them for part of the course or follow your own race plan.

  • Yes! The Marathon and Half Marathon start together and run the same course, so Half Marathon participants are welcome to run with the Marathon pacers. For example, if you're chasing a 1h 20min Half Marathon, you can join the 2h 40min Marathon pacer for their first lap.

  • We welcome applications from experienced runners who are confident running to a set pace and supporting others along the way. Applications for our 2027 Pace Team are now open. Scroll back to the top of this page for info.