There were team pacers who kept the pace to keep meet the goal on their signs, this one was for a 4 hour 30 minute finish. They actually hit the finish line within a few seconds of their pace goal. These runners were volunteers working in teams and I believe the times started with a 2:45 finish and then went down to a 6:00 finish in 15 minute increments. So if you knew you were ahead of say the 3:15 baloon sign at any time you knew your pace was going to get you across the finish line in under 3 hours and 15 minutes.