Example Race Plan

This is an example of how Race Day Coach turns your route, elevation, weather and goal time into a pacing strategy. See how a full plan is structured before you build your own.

All values on this page are sample data for illustration.

Plan overview

Berlin Marathon

Example
Distance
42.2 km
Goal time
2:59:30
Average target pace
4:15 /km
Weather
12 °C, west wind 14 km/h

Race strategy

Start controlled, settle into goal pace through the middle of the race, and save your effort for the final 10 km. The plan adds a few seconds where the course climbs or the wind is against you, and takes them back on descents and tailwind sections, so the effort stays even and the total time stays on target.

  1. Km 1–5

    Settle in

    Run slightly slower than goal pace while the field spreads out.

  2. Km 6–30

    Steady rhythm

    Hold goal pace and adjust only for wind and elevation.

  3. Km 31–42

    Finish strong

    Keep the effort even and use what you have left in the final kilometers.

Kilometer-by-kilometer preview

A selection of kilometers from the example plan.

Berlin Marathon

2:59:30
Average target pace: 4:15 /km
  • KM1
    4:18 /km+3sElevation: 0m

    Settle in. Don't weave through traffic. Let the race come to you.

  • KM2
    4:15 /km0sElevation: 0m

    Find your rhythm. The course opens up here.

  • KM3
    4:12 /km-3sElevation: -4m

    Slight descent. Let gravity do the work, keep effort even.

  • KM14
    4:19 /km+4sElevation: 0m

    Tuck in behind a group and keep the effort steady. Don't chase the pace into the wind.

    Headwind 14 km/h

  • KM27
    4:17 /km+2sElevation: +6m

    Short rise. Shorten your stride and hold the effort, not the pace.

  • KM40
    4:13 /km-2sElevation: 0m

    The wind is behind you. Stay relaxed and start lifting the effort toward the finish.

    Tailwind 14 km/h

The full plan covers every kilometer from start to finish.

How the plan is built

Race Day Coach combines five inputs into one pacing strategy.

  • GPX route

    The GPX file of your race defines the course and splits it into kilometers.

  • Elevation

    Climbs and descents along the route are read from the GPX file and reflected in each kilometer's pace.

  • Race-day weather

    Wind direction and speed along the course adjust the effort where they matter.

  • Goal time

    Your target finish time sets the average pace the plan is built around.

  • Pacing strategy

    The inputs are combined into a target pace and a short coaching cue for every kilometer.

Ready to plan your own race?

Upload your GPX route and set your goal time to get your own plan.