🎯 Objective
To complete the flat, fast tarmac Bristol To Bath marathon with early pacing control and late-stage grit—navigating elevation spikes and fatigue to secure a sub-4 finish.
🏃 Athlete Profile – Mathew Whitaker
- Race: Bath to Bristol Railway Marathon
- Location: South Gloucestershire, England
- Date: Saturday, 27 September 2025
- Distance: 42.22 km
- Moving Time: 3:55:17
- Elapsed Time: 3:59:18
- Average Pace: 5:34/km
- Elevation Gain: 494 m
- Calories Burned: 3,367 kcal
- Conditions: Cool and cloudy
- Device: Garmin Forerunner 245
- Shoes: Not recorded
- Top Results:
- Marathon – 3:59:01
- 30K – 2:34:16
- Half-Marathon – 1:47:07
- 20K – 1:41:27
📊 Pacing Breakdown – Mathew Whitaker
KM 1–10 (Settling In) Average Pace: ~5:20/km Notes: Mathew opened with confident pacing—KM 4–7 all under 4:52/km. Early splits showed rhythm and aerobic control.
KM 11–21 (Mid-Race Flow) Average Pace: ~5:05–5:15/km Notes: Maintained strong cadence and effort. KM 13 (4:55/km) and KM 16–17 (4:49/km, 4:44/km) reflected peak pacing and fueling balance.
KM 22–32 (Elevation Challenge) Average Pace: ~5:15–5:30/km Notes: KM 33–35 saw steep elevation spikes (42–76 m), with pacing dropping to 7:17/km, 7:38/km, and 9:07/km. Mathew responded with grit and recovery pacing in KM 36–38 (7:10/km to 5:53/km).
KM 33–42 (Final Push) Average Pace: ~6:30/km Notes: Despite fatigue and terrain, Mathew held form. KM 42 closed with a strong 5:28/km split, securing a sub-4 finish.
❤️ Heart Rate & Effort
Estimated HR Zone: Aerobic to tempo Insight: Average HR of 180 bpm and cadence of 158 spm suggest sustained effort with late-stage fatigue management. Mathew showed strong aerobic conditioning and mental resilience.
💡 Key Insights
- Elevation Adaptation: Mathew’s pacing dipped during steep climbs but rebounded quickly—showing terrain awareness and recovery strategy.
- Effort Regulation: Early splits were efficient and fast, with controlled surges and minimal spikes.
- Finish-Line Focus: Despite late fatigue, Mathew closed with intent—his final split was one of his strongest.
- Sub-4 Execution: Achieved through early pacing discipline and mental toughness in the final 10K.
🧩 Coaching Applications
- Mathew’s splits teach elevation pacing and recovery strategy
- Reinforces the importance of early rhythm and late-stage mindset
- Models how sub-4 goals can be achieved even with terrain challenges
- Celebrates finish-line grit
- Encourages athletes to trust their pacing plan and adapt when conditions shift