How is race pace determined?

Race pace is determined through training sessions because these are the times when an athlete can gauge their endurance, speed, and overall fitness level in a controlled environment. During various training runs—such as tempo runs, interval training, or long runs—runners can test their limits and become familiar with the pace they can sustain over a distance.

This assessment allows runners to build confidence and tailor their race strategies accordingly. By actively training at different paces and distances, coaches and runners can evaluate which pace feels sustainable and effective for race day. Furthermore, training conditions often simulate race conditions, enabling runners to fine-tune their pacing before the actual event.

While historical race results, speed testing on a track, and average speed calculations can provide context or supplementary information, they do not directly reflect an individual's current capabilities as effectively as data gathered from personal training experiences.