Pacers

03:00 pacemaker Ülo Niinemets

What is your most important advice for race day?

Familiarise yourself with the course profile, check the weather, listen to your body and choose a manageable pace from the very beginning. If you already feel that things are getting difficult around the halfway point, you have probably started too fast. Continuing at the same pace will inevitably lead to hitting the wall five to ten kilometres before the finish. Sometimes you may even see the first runners starting to walk earlier than that. Experience shows that at the halfway point it is still possible to “catch a falling knife” by slowing down a little, allowing you to conserve enough energy to finish with a good time.

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

When you're pushing your way up what feels like an endless climb on a tough marathon course, only to come around a corner and discover that the hill continues with no end in sight, it helps to remember that the climb will now probably end sooner rather than later. Of course, if you've studied the course profile beforehand, it shouldn't come as a surprise, but practice is different from theory. In the final kilometres, it helps to know that most of the work is already done, everyone is finding it difficult, and the finish line is waiting ahead. If you're racing for a time and finish without ever feeling the urge to stop, you probably haven't pushed yourself hard enough.

03:15 pacemaker Timur Fažõlov

What is your most important advice for race day?

If you’re ready, you’re ready.

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

The faster you run, the sooner you finish.

03:30 pacemaker Anton Kaletin

What is your most important advice for race day?

All the hard work is behind you. Listen to your body and enjoy the day – you've been preparing for this for a long time!

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

How long does it take the average person to run a marathon? The average person doesn't run marathons. Tough moments are normal.

03:45 pacemaker Andrus Rüütelmaa

What is your most important advice for race day?

Start the race with the best possible mood and mindset, and keep your sense of humour with you from start to finish :)

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

A difficult moment can also be enjoyable... I believe it and feel it... and the moments after the finish will certainly be even more enjoyable... so I keep moving forward, all the way to the finish!

04:00 pacemaker Janno Kaljuvee

What is your most important advice for race day?

The work for this marathon has already been done. Now it’s time to celebrate. Enjoy!

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

Every step brings you closer to the finish line. Keep moving!

04:15 pacemaker Jelena Melnikova

What is your most important advice for race day?

Enjoy the day! The Tallinn Marathon comes around only once a year, and you've already done the hard work in training. Today is the day to run, smile and make memories!

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

Every step takes you closer to the finish line. Sometimes it's tough, but you're much stronger than you think!

04:30 pacemaker Kaido Vetevoog

What is your most important advice for race day?

Start with a little in reserve so that you are able to run the second half slightly faster than the first.

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

You'll reach the finish line faster by running than by walking.

05:00 pacemaker Olle Rõuk

What is your most important advice for race day?

If everything related to race day – such as logistics, clothing, nutrition and hydration before the start and during the race – has been carefully thought through beforehand, everything will run more smoothly. There will be less stress, leaving you more time to enjoy the day. Familiarise yourself with the entire race centre before race day and allow yourself enough time to complete all your pre-race preparations without rushing.

And of course, the classic rule: never wear anything you haven't already tested on a long training run, and don't eat or drink anything on race morning or later on the course unless you know it works for you.

Another classic: every minute gained by running too fast in the early stages of a race can be lost several times over later because of fatigue. The section between approximately 10 and 20 km is particularly dangerous when it comes to overdoing it – you've already run some distance, but not enough to feel truly tired yet. At this point, sticking to your original plan is extremely important, and running in a group with a pacemaker can be a great way to keep yourself from going too fast.

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

Think about your “Why?”. Why did you start this journey in the first place? Whatever the reason was, it hasn't changed just because things have become difficult.

And if that doesn't work, then during the toughest moments, when your mind starts producing all kinds of negative self-talk, try counting backwards from one hundred. It doesn't happen automatically and requires some concentration, which keeps your mind occupied enough to leave less room for negative thoughts.

05:30 pacemaker Meelis Koskaru

What is your most important advice for race day?

Depending on your level of fitness and various factors such as age and health, please approach this challenge with respect and caution! If you are not feeling your best or your fitness level does not allow it, be sensible and adjust your pace accordingly, while still trying to see your journey through to the finish. Take the weather conditions and your fellow competitors into account. Be mindful of other participants and, whenever possible, offer your help!

If you are feeling strong and in good shape, let that positive energy within you loose and give your legs everything they’ve got!

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

Whatever your goal may be, the most important thing is to reach the finish line!

06:00 pacemaker Marika Roopärg

What is your most important advice for race day?

By race day, you should already have done everything in preparation – this is not the time to try anything new, whether it’s gels, sports drinks, running shoes or clothing. When it comes to your pace, you should already know what pace allows you to complete the entire distance. I would not recommend starting the race in a pair of running shoes bought at the marathon expo, even if they are from a brand you already know and trust.

If it is your first marathon, don’t overthink it. Start calmly, maintain a steady pace, and keep an eye on the pacemakers.

What thought helps you keep going when things get tough?

During a challenging and difficult moment, try to find someone running at a similar pace and run alongside them. Try to enjoy the process, even when it feels hard.