Against negative splitting: the case for alternative pacing strategies for elite marathon athletes in official events

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that, contrary to common practice, positive splitting is the most efficient pacing strategy for elite marathon runners when pacers are present, leading to faster race times.

Contribution

The paper provides a novel energetic analysis showing positive splitting as optimal in paced marathon races, challenging the traditional negative splitting approach.

Findings

Positive splitting results in shorter race times with pacers present.

Optimal pacing involves starting faster and slowing down after pacers drop out.

Race time savings of 2.4 to 2.6% when using positive splitting.

Abstract

Objectives: Negative splitting (i.e., finishing the race faster) is a tactic commonly employed by elite marathon athletes, even though research supporting the strategy is scarce. The presence of pacers allows the main runner to run behind a formation, preserving energy. Our aim is to show that, in the presence of pacers, the most efficient pacing strategy is positive splitting. Methods: We evaluated the performance of an elite marathon runner from an energetic standpoint, including drag values obtained through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In varying simulations for different pacing strategies, the energy for both the main runner and his pacer were conserved and the total race time was calculated. Results: In order to achieve minimum race time, the main runner must start the race faster and run behind the pacers, and when the pacers drop out, finish the race slower. Optimal race times are obtained when the protected phase is run 2.4 to 2.6% faster than the unprotected phase. Conclusion: Our results provide strong evidence that positive splitting is indeed the best pacing strategy when at least one pacer is present, causing significant time savings in official marathon events.