Back of the Pack Runner, Front of Mind: What It’s Really Like to Run Boston Slow

Episode: S6E20 | Guest: Avelyn (its.avalyne) | Aired June 18, 2026 | 55 min

Author: Nick Klastava

Podcast Hosts: Nick Klastava & Amanda Katz

Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

What is it actually like to be one of the last runners on course at a major marathon? Coach Amanda and I sat down with marathoner and content creator Avelyn, who has run three marathons in just over two years, including Boston, all as a proud back of the pack, run-walk athlete, to talk about what the running world gets wrong about pace, pride, and what it means to belong on a starting line.

Key Takeaways

•             Being among the last finishers at a major marathon often means aid stations, mile markers, and even the open street get packed up or shut down before you cross the finish line.

•             A marathon is defined by distance, not time. The comparison to elite pace has nothing to do with whether your finish counts.

•             Run-walk intervals are a legitimate, effective pacing strategy, not a lesser version of “real” running.

•             Sticking to a race strategy that works for you, even when everyone around you is running differently, is one of the hardest and most valuable skills a back of the pack runner develops.

•             Community support from fellow strangers on course, not always official race resources, often makes the difference in finishing a race that wasn’t built with slower runners in mind.

•             Defining success beyond finishing time (fueling well, finishing a distance you never thought possible, showing up despite discomfort) creates a healthier, more sustainable relationship with the sport.

When the Course Packs Up Around You

Avelyn’s experience running Boston as a back of the pack runner exposed a side of major marathons that faster runners rarely see. Around the 10K mark, aid stations were already being dismantled. By mile 22, she and other back-of-pack runners were moved onto the sidewalk, navigating curbs and interrupting pedestrians’ weekend plans while still technically inside the race’s official finish window. It’s a stark contrast to races like the Walt Disney World Marathon, which uses clear course sweepers so runners know exactly where they stand, or the New York City Marathon, which keeps the finish line open for the last official finisher regardless of time.

A Marathon Is Measured in Distance, Not Time

Avelyn’s response to the common criticism that a 15-minute mile “isn’t really running”: marathons, half marathons, and 10Ks are all defined by distance, not by a required pace. The first person to ever run a marathon didn’t do it at elite pace, and the distance-based definition hasn’t changed since. Whether you finish in three hours or seven, you covered the same course.

Run-Walk Is a Strategy, Not a Compromise

Avelyn uses structured run-walk intervals (30 seconds running, 30 seconds walking) as her race strategy, refined through training rather than chosen out of necessity mid-race. One of the biggest lessons from Boston was resisting the pressure to abandon that strategy just because the intervals felt “too conservative” for such a prestigious course. Trusting a strategy that’s been tested in training, even when it doesn’t match what runners around you are doing, is what got her to the finish line intact.

Strangers Filled the Gap Official Support Left Behind

With aid stations packing up ahead of schedule, Avelyn described relying heavily on spectators who chose to stay behind: strangers refilling water bottles, offering ice or muscle relief, and cheering on runners who were technically still racing but visibly outside the course’s peak support window. That informal community support, built entirely on people choosing to stay rather than any official course plan, made a measurable difference in her ability to finish.

Redefining What Counts as a Personal Best

Beyond finish time, Avelyn pointed to other markers of progress that matter just as much: the best you’ve ever fueled for a race, the farthest you’ve ever run, or simply finishing a distance you weren’t sure you could complete. Since no runner can chase a faster personal record indefinitely, building an identity around markers beyond pace creates a far more sustainable long-term relationship with the sport, whether you’re at the front of the pack or the very back.

Guest Bio

Avelyn, known online as its.avalyne, is a marathoner and content creator who has completed three marathons since starting running just over two years ago, including the Walt Disney World Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Boston Marathon. She is a vocal advocate for back of the pack runners and the run-walk method, using her platform to show that marathon distances are achievable for everyday people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is run-walking during a marathon considered “real” running? Yes. A marathon is officially defined by completing the 26.2-mile distance, not by maintaining a specific pace throughout. Run-walk intervals are a widely used and legitimate pacing strategy, employed by runners across all experience levels, not just beginners or back of the pack finishers.

Why do some marathon aid stations close before the last runners finish? Official course support windows vary by race, and not every race clearly communicates or enforces a consistent cutoff policy. Some races use clear sweep vehicles so runners know exactly where they stand, while others begin breaking down aid stations and course support before the official finish window closes, which can leave slower runners without expected resources.

How can back of the pack runners get more support during a race? Beyond relying on official race support, community resources like spectators who choose to stay late, other runners moving at a similar pace, and run clubs that specifically support all paces can make a meaningful difference. Researching a race’s stated cutoff times and course support policies in advance can also help set realistic expectations.

What are other ways to measure running success besides finish time? Meaningful markers include how well you fueled during a race, the farthest distance you’ve ever completed, consistency in training despite challenges, and simply finishing something that once felt impossible. Since pace improvements aren’t sustainable indefinitely for any runner, broadening your definition of success supports a healthier long-term relationship with the sport.