In this episode of the A to Z Running Podcast, race director and 40x race pacer Andrew Buikema joins A to Z Running to discuss pacing.  Andrew shares how a person can train to be a pacer, how pacers help during the race, and the unique motivations of pacers and WHY they do it. 

Featured in this episode is also a race recap from the Men’s US 15K Champion, Clayton Young. Tune in to hear the inside scoop about his win.

INTRO

• Follow and Subscribe (on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform)
• Listener question from Laura.
  • Laura asks Andi and Zach about unique challenges for race hydration  as her race has announced DIY filling stations.
  • We tell Laura that if time matters, we recommend carrying a bottle.
•  Have you signed up for Rivertown Races in Grand Rapids, MI? It’s not too late.
  • Use the code atoz_2021 for 10% off. 
  • GIVEAWAY- We have (2) entries to Rivertown Races events in Grand Rapids to give away.
    • How to enter:
      • Subscribe to A to Z Running HERE
      • Message or post telling us about a time someone helped you during a race. (If you post on instagram and tag us, we will share in our stories.)
      • Win an entry of your choice to Rivertown Races half marathon, 10k, or 5k.
• Featured Product: Knockaround Sunglasses
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  • Check out their 40% off sale on many styles with prices as low as $9 with free shipping on all orders. 
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World of Running

Firstly, congrats to two AtoZrunning athletes on 5k PRs this weekend, Kait ran a 44 second pr, Mark ran a 29 second pr at the Shamrock Shenanigans race in Grand Rapids, MI.

March 20, in Huangshan, China (Chinese Race Walking Championships – World Athletics)

• Women
  • Yang Jiayu smashes world 20km race walk record with 1:23:49
  • Yang Jiayu chopped 49 seconds off the world record to win the 20km race walk in 1:23:49* at the Chinese Race Walking Championships in Huangshan on Saturday (20)

March, 20, 2021 in Jacksonville, FL – Gate River Run (letsrun)

USATF 15k Road Championships

• Emily Sisson claimed the national title for the women
  • 5th fastest ever
  • Won the battle of sexes bonus (5k bonus for finishing before the men – they gave 6min head start)
• Clayton Young for the men
  • Clayton is fairly fresh to professional running for Asics. In 2019 he was the NCAA 10k champion representing BYU. 
  • TUNE IN FOR AN EXCLUSIVE WITH CLAYTON

March 15, in Stillwater, Oklahoma: NCAA Cross Country Championships

• *first time since 1943 that a championships was missed (2020)… 
• For the men
  • NAU won in crazy 60 points (fewest in over 15 years)
  • They put 4 guys in the top 9 in the race
  • Conner Mantz of BYU won individually (first us-born champion since 2008 when Galen Rupp won)
• For the women
  • BYU won resoundingly (over 60 points ahead of second)
  • Alabama’s Mercy Chelangat won individually in a hard-fought battle

OLYMPICS UPDATE (from ESPN):

No Foreign Spectators at the Olympic Games

• Official Announcement- no foreign spectators