Marathon 2017 Pace Leaders HMF is pleased to introduce the 2017 Marathon Pacers. Please join us in expressing your appreciation for their support of our sport and especially for their support of helping you reach your goal on October 14 th! The information on the following pages will help you get to know your pacer and lays out detail of their pacing strategy. All our pacers are volunteers so if you were looking for a leader in a pace not listed here, we did not receive any interested volunteer to lead. We wish you much success in our race and most importantly, have fun! Pace 3:15 Suresh Jatti 3:25 Neil Leibowitz 3:30 Tyler Lyon 3:35 John Collins & Kristina Miner 3:40 Scott Freeman 3:45 Martin Keibel 4:00 Steven DeCastro 4:10 Michelle Bosco 4:25 Jeanne Corey & Kim Marchand 4:40 Elaine Acosta 5:10 David Colburn 5:30 Rachel Tambling 5:45 Titus Roden
About the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon Pace Program The Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon offers pace leaders to help athletes achieve their goal time. There is no fee and anyone can use this service. Supported by a motivating leader, a pace team is a group who run together side-by-side with those who share the same race goal. The pace leader runs a steady pace and keeps track of that pace so that the group can achieve the goal of finishing at the group s designated time. Where do the Pace Leaders come from? Pacers are chosen based on their experience running marathons or half marathons around the country, but also because of their extensive pacing experience. Our pacers are dynamic and personable, and know from past experience exactly what it takes to help runners have a great race. What Pace Groups are offered? Marathon groups from 3:15 to 5:45. Half Marathon groups offered for 1:30 to 3:00. RACE DAY MEETING AREA 7:30 am: Pace Leaders will assemble on the west side of the Bushnell Memorial Hall on Capitol Avenue (located within the race start assembly area). Marathon Pace Leaders will be wearing neon green pace shirts. Half Marathon Pace Leaders will wear bright gold pace shirts. All will be standing by their pace group sign. Pace Leaders will move into the starting area at 7:40 am. They will line up according to pace on the right side (facing toward the start banner) of the starting area. Joe Jaconetta is the founding partner of, an Ironman finisher and 3x Boston Marathon finisher. In 2013, Joe ran the Chicago Marathon with the 3:00 pace team. He finished the marathon with a time of 2:59:22. It was an experience I will treasure the rest of my life. I experienced an overwhelming sense of accomplishment knowing that I successfully reached a goal that I trained for, for two years. Supporting the Pace Leader Program for the Eversource Hartford Marathon gives me the opportunity to pay it forward to help others achieve their goals goals that they have worked so hard to achieve. At Jaconetta, Burnham & Wimer, our attorneys continuously help our clients reach their estate planning goals. As a proud sponsor of the Eversource Hartford Marathon, we want to help you achieve yours.
3:15 Pace Leader Suresh Jatti, Glastonbury, CT Suresh s Pacing Strategy: I follow an even pacing strategy starting with the first couple of miles on the slower side (10 to 15 sec/mi). My plan is to reach the half-marathon point on pace and come in about 15 sec below the goal time at the finish. About Suresh: I started running relatively late in life (mid-life crisis) and the 2009 Hartford was my first marathon. It didn't go well and I went on a quest to solve this marathon mystery (read misery) and loved every one of the 20 more I ve ran since. My PR was 2:56 at 2016 Poconos. I was fortunate to complete all major marathons with 2018 Tokyo as the last leg. I have paced my friends informally since 2010 and my first official pacing job was 3:10 at the 2016 Eversource Hartford Marathon. I am excited to come back and pace again in 2017. Suresh in 2016 pacing the 3:10 group.
3:25 Pace Leader Neal Liebowitz, S. Windsor, CT Neal s Pacing Strategy: We will run on gun time at a steady pace, varying on elevation changes. About Neal: I am an actuary in Hartford and have completed 30+ marathons and half marathons. I run parts of the Hartford course as part of my regular routes and have paced both the full and half Hartford marathons many times before and usually finish within a few seconds of my goal time. My marathon PR is 2:58; and I ran Bay State last October in 3:04. I eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches on race mornings. Neal
3:30 Pace Leader Tyler Lyon, Harwinton, CT Tyler s Pacing Strategy: I'm a big believer from personal experience in "when you bank time in the marathon, you pay it back with interest". I'll be pacing 3:30 with the aim to hold us to even 8:02/mi splits, keeping y'all entertained with stories, advice and for plenty of good times (pun intended). About Tyler: This is my first time pacing, but will be my sixth marathon. I love distance racing and like to think I've learned a little more with each race. This year I was able to register for the 2018 Boston Marathon and completed the New England Challenge with last year's Hartford and this year's Vermont City Marathon in May. I'm hoping to get to know the runners in my group in the 3+ hours we'll have together and make it as fun as can be while maybe even helping some to a Boston Qualifier! Tyler
3:35 Pace Leaders John Collins, Tolland, CT Kristina Miner, Newington, CT John s Pacing Strategy: I plan to run a consistent pace varying based on elevation changes after we run through the first few crowded miles. I plan to run through the water stops. I have paced the marathon twice before and the half marathon three times. About John: I started running marathons when I turned 40 and have run at least one marathon every year since then. My next large race will be the Goofy Challenge in January. I have completed 20 marathons with a 3:03 PR. Favorite pre-race meal - Toast with fluff and peanut butter, a fruit smoothie and a banana Kristina s Pacing Strategy: The goal is 8:15 pace. Objective is to not frontload the work as I refer to it, intent is to keep everyone calm and not bank more than 30 seconds the first half marathon. My motto is Don t give up what you want most for what you want in an instance I will offer encouragement to stay mentally tough when that sentiment of doubt sets in. Tell me what motivates you ahead of time, and I ll try to remind you how bad you want it if it looks like the demons are in your head. About Kristina: I am a resilient, ex-collegiate athlete. In college, I was literally knocked off my feet with injuries and spent the next 10 years pulling myself together, so I have experience across the spectrum of running experiences. I ran 3:04:41 in my first full marathon Hartford Marathon 2015 and it was an experience I will never forget. I was accepted as an Invited Athlete for the Vermont City Marathon in 2016, and ran my first Boston Marathon in 2017. My goal is to now help you get the 3:35 goal time, and help you appreciate how special it truly is to be part of our running community. John Kristina
3:40 Pace Leader Scott Freeman, Marlborough, CT About Scott: Scott has been running for over 24 years and has completed 77 marathons and numerous half marathons. Of the 77 marathons, 50 of them have been finished in sub 3 hours, with a personal best of 2:47. Scott has also raced and completed two ultra 50k races. He coaches for the Leukemia Team In Training. He is passionate for distance running and is enthusiastic in sharing and coaching other runners who are trying to attain their running goals. Scott
3:45 Pace Leader Martin Keibel, Manchester, CT Martin s Pacing Strategy: Run every mile in about 8:30 pace being slightly slower on the hills and coming out of the water stops so everyone can hydrate and we can stay together. About Martin: Martin was a triathlete for 15 years before switching to marathons in 2004. He has completed 51 marathons including 12 Boston marathons and marathons in NY, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Barcelona. Martin s picture was taken before the start of the Barcelona Spain Marathon in March 2017 Martin
4:00 Pace Leader Steven DeCastro, Pawcatuck, CT Steven s Pacing Strategy: Steven plans to keep the pace very controlled throughout race and only slow down through the water stops. He wants to ensure that everyone in the group is able to stay fueled. About Steven: Steven has paced the 2:00 Pace group for the 2017 Mystic Half Marathon. The Chicago Marathon is one of his favorite races.
4:10 Pace Leader Michelle Bosco, Wethersfield, CT About Michelle: Michelle loves to set out on a goal and successfully reach it. She ll use a strategy of steady and consistent miles, combined with walking through the water station, to help you accomplish yours. This marathon and half marathon veteran loves the lessons running has taught her, and is excited for the opportunity to help others reach theirs! Her favorite pre-race ritual is connecting with other friends who are also racing. Her favorite postrace celebration is usually a nap and a big meal that she may not otherwise eat. Michelle
4:25 Pace Leaders Jeanne Corey & Kim Marchand, Winsted, CT Pacing Strategy: We plan to pace Hartford with a steady pace with enough time to slow down through the water stops. Let s stick together, share our stories, have fun for 26.2 miles and finish strong with a sub 4:25 marathon. About Jeanne: This is the 4th Hartford Marathon that I ve paced and multiple ½ marathons. I look forward to sharing this incredible experience with you. I am a RRCA Certified Running coach and have completed over 40 marathons. I have some great tips (and tricks) to help get you to cross that finish line strong and with a smile on your face. (WARNING: There may be periods of heavy laughter and singing) About Kim: This is my 5th Hartford Marathon that I ve paced and also multiple ½ marathons. I m also a RRCA Certified Running Coach and have completed over 50 marathons which includes 9 consecutive Boston Marathons and a few ultras. My marathon pacing goal is to inspire people, make them believe in themselves, and to give them that extra push to finish their dream. Jeanne & Kim
4:40 Pace Leader Elaine Acosta, Somerset, NJ Elaine s Pacing Strategy: I pace even splits, finishing roughly 30 seconds before goal time. For 4:40, I ll be keeping everyone at a steady 10:40 min pace, while motivating, swapping stories & occasionally jumping every time we see a photographer, ha ha! About Elaine: I ve been pacing for the past 4 years for various marathons and half marathons. It s such a rewarding experience! Giving back is always a PR! I m a graphic designer by day. My favorite race was the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc, a 106 mile mountain ultramarathon in the alps through France, Italy and Switzerland. The scenery was amazing! Elaine
5:10 Pace Leader David Colburn, Worcester, MA David s Pacing Strategy: David says his strategy is simple. Keep a steady pace the whole way so if they can see me they are on the finishing time pace. About David: David has finished 32 marathons with a 3:39 PR. He paced the 5:45 pace group in 2016. David
5:30 Pace Leader Rachel Tambling, Hartford, CT Rachel s Pacing Strategy: Slow down through the water stops to ensure everyone has plenty of time to get enough liquid or fuel. About Rachel: Rachel is a RRCA-certified coach, and plans to tap into these skills to help you achieve your goal finishing time of 5:30. Be aware, Rachel likes to talk when she runs; topics usually include food, scenery, and wildlife. She also finds inspiration watching others accomplish their goals, and looks forward to guiding you to yours! Rachel
5:45 Pace Leader Titus Roden, Longmeadow, MA Titus Pacing Strategy: My pace plan is to run even splits with short walks every mile. About Titus: I started running at age 5 in the Longview Running Club (Texas) and ran throughout my youth before I let being an adult get in the way. I got back into running while in my 30 s and have since run nine races that were a marathon or longer. I dabble in triathlons but currently I m training for the Dallas Marathon. Downtown Hartford is where I work and run during my lunch breaks. Many of the roads and paths on the marathon course are part of my normal training routes. I can t wait to share some stories and have some fun. Let s make it an amazing day! Titus