The following chart is designed to help you run a 4:50 marathon with the pacing teams at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon --although you can use this chart for any marathon. In order to run 4:50, you need to run approximately 11:04 per mile for the full 26-mile-385-yard distance.

Although the Pacing Team leaders in Chicago will keep you on pace, it's a good idea to wear a watch, starting it when you cross the starting line. That way, you can keep track of your own time, important if you happen to become separated from your Pacing Team. One strategy to stay on pace is to write your planned splits on your race number upside down, so you can read them while running. Keith Stone, the computer specialist who provided the numbers for this chart, also does wrist bands for our pace leaders.

This chart shows Chip Time, the mile splits you will see on your watch if you start it when you cross the starting line. The ChampionshipChip computes your exact time from starting line to finish line, although this might not be the same as the time you see on the clock when you cross the finish line.

If you are concerned about clock time, you will need to adjust your times accordingly, either by estimating how much you'll be delayed at the line, or by doing it mentally as you run.