time, most of us will just turn up at the mass run without knowing exactly what the route is like. in that case, don’t start out too fast. start slowly and build up gradually. if people at the start want to pass you, let them go. anyway, it is most crowded at the start and hard to start fast unless you start out front.
you can’t run without fuel but eating too close to start time is not a good idea. try to eat a carbohydrate-rich meal no later than one hour before the race. the few days before the race, try not to eat any kinds of food that might 