What to Expect at Your First Road Race

Running your first road race is such an exciting milestone! It’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as race day approaches. Whether you’re running a 5K or tackling a longer distance, participating in a road race can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what to expect on race day so that you can make the most of it!

The Race Expo

Most races, especially larger ones, will have an expo a day or two before the race. This is where you’ll pick up your race packet. This typically includes your bib number, timing chip, and a race shirt or other swag.

The expo is also where you’ll find vendors selling running gear, race day nutrition, and sometimes shoes and clothes. It’s a fun atmosphere, but definitely don’t feel pressured to buy anything. Your focus should be on getting your race packet and mentally preparing for the race!

The Start Line

On race day, you’ll want to make sure you arrive with enough time to park, check in, and warm-up. An hour is usually enough time unless the race is really big and there’s a chance you may have to park pretty far away.

Bigger races often have corrals or waves, meaning runners are grouped together at the start line by expected finish times. When you line up, make sure you’re in the correct corral so that you’re running at a pace that feels comfortable. It’s tempting to start fast, but pacing yourself is key.

Be aware that the start line can be crowded, and it may take a few minutes to cross the starting line once the race begins. If you’re tracking the race on your watch for pacing purposes, make sure you don’t start it until you actually cross the start line or your times could be way off.

The Course

The race itself will vary depending on the distance and location, but most road races follow a marked course with water stations along the way. You’ll probably encounter cheer squads, volunteers, and fellow runners along the route. Depending on the race, there may also be music, entertainment, or other fun elements throughout the course.

Don’t get discouraged if you hit a tough patch during the race—it’s totally normal! Just focus on putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the experience. And remember, it’s totally okay to walk for a minute or two to catch your breath. Just make sure you do so safely.

Course Pacers

A lot of road races offer pacers, which are people who are paid to lead groups of runners to achieve certain race day time goals. For example, for a half marathon, they may have groups ranging all the way from an hour and 25 minutes up to 3+ hours.

Pacers are typically competitive runners who can easily run these times so you’ll often find them chatting with the group, asking questions to get to know you, or shouting out encouraging words throughout the race. Running with a pacer can be really helpful, especially if this is your first race, because you don’t have to think about the numbers, you just have to run and hang with the group.

Water Stations and Nutrition

Water stations are typically set up every 1 to 2 miles, depending on the race distance. If you’re new to road races, it’s important to hydrate during the race, but don’t feel the need to stop at every station if you don’t feel thirsty. If you’re running longer than 5K, you may also find sports drinks or nutrition (usually gels) at some aid stations. Pay attention to what’s available at each stop so you can plan accordingly.

A word of caution: If you’ve never tried gels, do NOT try them for the first time in the middle of a race. Just trust me on that one.

The Finish Line

The finish line is where all your hard work pays off! Expect a big rush of adrenaline as you approach, and remember to take in the moment. You may feel tired, but crossing that line will be incredibly rewarding. After finishing, you’ll typically be handed a medal, water, and some post-race snacks (plus beer if you’re over 21!). Many races also offer a recovery area where you can stretch or grab a bite to eat.