What counts as illegal pacing?

Under ASA Rule 33.9, pacing means running with another competitor specifically to help them. It is not allowed between age or gender categories when either runner wants to be eligible for a prize. These count as pacing:

• consistently helping a contender (often of a different age or gender): fetching drinks, shielding them from the wind, running just ahead to set the pace, carrying their items or coaching them;
• a pacer who is not an entrant, including supporters or coaches running, cycling or travelling alongside;
• a runner about to be lapped who speeds up to run with the contender passing them;
• someone who did not start with the field, such as a runner in an earlier wave waiting for someone in a later wave;
• an organiser's pace-setter who changes the advertised pace to suit one contender.

In mass races where contenders are clearly identified, pacing rules apply only to contenders; otherwise they apply to everyone. The referee normally warns first (a yellow card is suggested) and asks the runners to open a gap of at least 100m. If it continues, the referee may disqualify both runners.