How many pacers do you need?

Split the runners you expect into pace blocks and get the groups, pacers and sweepers for the session. Then copy the plan straight to your pacers' WhatsApp.

Free · No sign-up

The session

Free runs usually lose 10–20% of sign-ups on the day.

Optional. Used to estimate when each group gets back.

Ratios

A block bigger than this is split into several groups at the same pace.

Pace blocks

The share of runners you expect in each block. Leave the first 'from' or the last 'to' empty for an open-ended group.

FromTo%

The plan

Runners on the day68
Groups5
Pacers8
Sweepers1
Volunteers needed9
Pace /kmRunnersGroupsPacersSweepersBack at
Under 4:45
7
11—38:00
4:45–5:15
14
12—42:00
5:15–5:45
20
12—46:00
5:45–6:15
17
12—50:00
Over 6:15
10
11—54:00

The last group finishes about 16 min after the first. Plan the warm-down, the photo and the coffee around it.

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Kibi for clubs

Know who is coming before you leave

On Kibi, runners book their spot for each session, so you plan the groups with real numbers instead of guesses, cap the spots if you need to, and take attendance with a QR at the meeting point.

How it works

  1. 01

    Enter how many runners you expect and the no-show rate you usually see.

  2. 02

    Adjust the pace blocks and the share of runners you expect in each one.

  3. 03

    Set your runners-per-pacer ratio and copy the plan for your volunteers.

Frequently asked questions

Most clubs work with 8 to 15 runners per pacer. Below 8 the group is easy to keep together; above 15 the pacer loses sight of the back of the group, especially at night or in traffic. Beginners' groups need a lower ratio.

Around 30 seconds per kilometre. Wider than that and the fastest runners in the block are jogging while the slowest are racing; narrower and you need more pacers than you have.

The volunteer who runs at the very back so nobody is left behind. On a route with junctions or at night, one per group is worth it; on a closed loop, one for the whole run is usually enough.

Because not everyone who signs up turns up, especially for free runs. Planning on sign-ups alone means pacers waiting for groups that never fill.