Race morning perfected

In 2024, we’re working to make race morning smoother with enhanced corrals. After implementing these groups last year, we recognized the benefits and like any element of race day, we want to better it for you!

Let’s take some steps back first to learn more about corrals. Corrals are groups of runners with similar paces or expected finishing times that gather at the start line. This helps avoid tripping hazards in the opening shoot and on the course and alleviates potential congestion within that first mile. It spreads out runners to make the start as safe and smooth as possible. Know that if you get faster (or slower) from the time that you register until race day, you can change your estimated pace so we can update your corral and you can be around your people. Also, don’t feel like you need to “stay put” with your estimated pace if you’re feeling froggy on race morning, however, it’s best to pace yourself with our amazing team of pacers to help you cross the finish feeling strong!

Test Run

Here is an example of the way we’ll be assigning corrals at this year’s Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist:

  • 7:25 – Strollers, Handcycles, Visually Impaired
  • 7:30 – Elite Corral – Qualifying standards
    • Female – 42:00 for a 10K or a 6:45 min/mi pace at a qualifying race distance
    • Male – 34:00 for a 10K or a 5:10 min/mi pace at a qualifying race distance
    • Non-Binary – 38:00 for a 10K or a 6:07 min/mi at a qualifying race distance
  • 7:31 – Corral A
    • Female – 6:46 min/mi – 7:30 min/mi
    • Male – 5:11 min/mi – 6:45 min/mi
    • Non-Binary – 6:08 min/mi – 7:15 min/mi
  • 7:33 – Corral B
    • Female – 7:31 min/mi – 8:59 min/mi
    • Male – 6:46 min/mi – 8:59 min/mi
    • Non-Binary – 7:16 min/mi – 8:59 min/mi
  • 7:35 – Corral C – 9:00 min/mi – 9:59 min/mi
  • 7:37 – Corral D – 10:00 min/mi – 10:59 min/mi
  • 7:39 – Corral E – 11:00 min/mi – 12:29 min/mi
  • 7:41 – Corral F – 12:30 min/mi – 13:45 min/mi
  • 7:45 – Start Line Closed

Your bib that you’ll receive at the expo will have a letter out front of the numbers that will be associated with your corral. On race morning, our volunteers and pace team will be on the lookout for that as you enter corrals to assure everyone is where they need to be to make it a successful day! Your bib must be visible to gain access to the start line corrals so be sure to have it pinned to the front of your body on your shorts or top. Pro tip – that bib also corresponds to your (free!) tagged photos after the race so, the more visible, the more likely we’ll be able to assign those shots to you.

Relax, we’ve got you

Know that your official time does not start until you cross the start line, so please don’t feel like you need to push to the start of your corral. The reason we’re doing this all is to help alleviate additional stress on race morning. Arrive early, warm up, look for volunteers who will point you in the right direction to get in your corral with plenty of time, and get ready to run!