Case report: Elevation variability and pacing regulation in an elite half-marathon runner: a longitudinal case study

Pacing strategy is a central determinant of endurance running performance. While elevation profile is known to influence pacing in trail and mountain running, its potential role in road races characterized by moderate elevation variability remains insufficiently examined. This longitudinal case report aimed to explore how differences in course elevation characteristics were associated with pacing patterns and performance outcomes in an elite half-marathon runner. Ten official half-marathon performances completed over a four-year period (2014–2017) by a single elite male athlete were retrospectively analyzed. Elevation-related metrics (total ascent, total descent, and elevation range) and split times (0–10 km and 11–21 km) were examined descriptively to characterize pacing patterns, classified as positive or negative split. Five races were classified as positive split and five as negative split. Finishing times ranged from 69.18 to 87.05 min, and elevation range varied between 26.3 and 116.8 m. The fastest performance occurred during a negative split on a near-flat course; however, pacing classification and elevation characteristics were not uniformly aligned with performance outcomes across races. Within comparable elevation ranges, both positive and negative pacing profiles were observed, accompanied by substantial variation in finishing times. These findings indicate that moderate elevation variability may interact with pacing regulation in a context-dependent manner rather than acting as an isolated determinant of performance. The results highlight the multifactorial nature of pacing behavior in elite half-marathon competition and underscore the value of individualized longitudinal analyses for understanding performance execution in real-world racing conditions.