Pacers Keep Us Moving.

A pacer is an experienced runner and expert leader who commits to helping other participants aim for a specific finish time. Our pacers know the course and will share information and encouragement with surrounding runners. Watch for their big signs on race morning!

We plan to have pacers to help you aim for the following finish times.

Full marathon: 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00

Half marathon: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, 3:00

Meet Our Marathon Pacers

  • Kevin

    3:00

    Kevin cheerleads for his runners and shares information about upcoming parts of the course, supporting everyone who is aiming for the benchmark 3-hour marathon.

  • Livana

    3:15

    Livana currently races on the UGA Club XC Team. She knows that the 20-mile mark is the key to your marathon, and she’s ready to help you believe in your success!

  • Juan

    3:15

    Juan es de Metapán, El Salvador. He races for the Athens Road Runners, he has finished six full marathons, and he says he runs to make friends!

  • Austin

    3:30

    Austin is originally from Watkins, Iowa. He says running is his morning meditation, and he’ll be pacing a solid 3:30 marathon just for you.

  • John

    3:30

    John has completed over 30 marathons, including 7 of the Abbott World Majors! He works taking care of guests at one of the top hotels in Dallas, Texas, and he will be here taking great care of our 3:30 pace group.

  • Mary

    3:45

    Mary paced the inaugural Classic City Marathon in 2024, and she’s back for 2027. You might also recognize her from Jittery Joe’s!

  • Mo

    3:45

    Mo is a current med student, future neurosurgeon, and experienced running coach. She’ll take great care of the 3:45 marathoners!

  • MaryStuart

    4:00

    MaryStuart has run 6 marathons, including the Victoria Falls Marathon in Zambia! This is her third year pacing for us.

  • Allison

    4:00

    Allison is a Watkinsville local who has finished 16 full marathons and has paced for us every year! Welcome back, Allison!

  • Jason

    4:15

    Jason runs, plays tennis, plays basketball, and aims to help everyone in his 4:15 marathon group finish strong!

  • Michael

    4:30

    Michael has finished 3 marathons, at least 5 half marathons, and lots of shorter races. He says fun is “mandatory” while running!

  • Levi

    4:30

    The other 4:30 pacer will be Levi! More soon.

  • Sydney

    4:45

    Sydney is two-time Ironman finisher who describes running as “life changing.” She wants all her runners to feel welcomed and encouraged.

  • Kodi

    4:45

    Kodi is a registered nurse who raced cross country in high school and has finished 7 full marathons. She focuses on keeping her pace groups motivated all the way to the finish!

  • Becca

    5:00

    Becca, from Loganville, Georgia, runs, reads, and tries to keep up with her children! (To discuss as you run with her: Are kids harder than marathons?)

  • Paige

    5:00

    Paige is a hybrid athlete who is probably doing Hyrox training if she’s not running. She’ll help the 5-hour marathon group to go the distance!

Meet Our Half Marathon Pacers

  • Noah

    1:30

    Noah is an experienced racer and an experienced pacer. He grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York, played football and lacrosse, and then shifted to focusing on running after he moved to Athens.

  • Sally

    1:40

    Sally raced in high school, raced for Auburn University, and will happily share her encyclopedic knowledge of running shoes with the 1:40 half marathon group!

  • Haley

    1:50

    Returning pacer Haley has run with the Athens Road Runners Racing Team since 2021. She aims to be an approachable, kind, and supportive leader for her group!

  • Angel

    2:00

    Angel has finished a 50K, three marathons, and dozens of halfs. One of her favorite things about running is getting to chat with other runners!

  • Dulce

    2:10

    Returning pacer Dulce is there to cheer you on, keep you engaged, and tell you that you can do it — because you can!

  • Arturo

    2:20

    Arturo grew up playing competitive soccer and now runs for fun and friendship. He describes himself the “hype man” for his pace group!

  • Monica

    2:30

    Monica has already run at least 142 marathons, so her goal at the moment is to read 100 books this year. That’s a lot of books to talk about during your 2:30 half marathon.

  • Gabby

    2:30

    Gabby is returning as a multi-year Classic City Half Marathon pacer and, get this, fun fact, she’s amazingly good at parallel parking!

  • Carolina

    2:40

    Carolina es de Santiago, Chile! She found the joy of running as an adult, she is a psychologist who lives in Athens, and she wants her pace groups to feel confident and supported.

  • Feng

    2:50

    Feng has finished many full and half marathons and paced three full marathons. He brings joy, steady rhythms, and supportive communication for his group!

  • Cynthea

    3:00

    Cynthea has run at least 80 half marathons, including one in every state. She has paced our sister race, the AthHalf, and now she’s pacing for us!

In the weeds with some pace-group details: At the Starting Line, if you are following a pacer, be sure they are running your race! Their signs clearly say “MARATHON” or “HALF marathon,” and it matters because their pace per mile will differ and because the courses split away from each other for parts of the race. But the final miles of the courses are the same, so if you are a faster marathoner or a slower half marathoner, and if you happen to spot any pace groups or signs from the other race toward the end of your race, the total finish time on that pacer’s sign will be meaningful for you, yes.

To join a pace group, just look for their signs on race morning — it’s as easy as that!

Can you be a pacer for the Classic City Marathon or Half Marathon?

We have almost everyone we need for 2027, but back-ups are always welcome!

Email us if you have questions, or go ahead and fill out the form.

Thanks!