The current study aimed to investigate the effect of knowing the end point of running tasks (distance or duration) on performance, physiological variables (heart rate: HR, rate of perceived exertion: RPE), and pacing strategy during a self-paced running trial. Twenty four physical education and sports sciences students participated in this study (age: 21±1.1 years, height: 172.5±5.6 cm, body mass: 66.2±7.0 kg, body mass index: 21.9±2.4 kg/m²). All participants performed a multistage incremental test to determine maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and continuous running exercises at MAS up to exhaustion (constant speed test) in order to determine the total distance covered and total duration of the test (tlim at MAS); they then individually and randomly performed two self paced running exercises, where the end point was determined as distance (distance test) and duration (duration test) that were determined during the tlim test. Heart HR and RPE were recorded during all tests. Speed and HR were recorded at every 10% of the total distance covered during the two self paced running tests. RPE was also obtained at the middle and the end of the two self paced running tests. Results showed that covered distance was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the constant speed test and the duration test (1331.4±281 m vs. 296.8±1320.9 m). On the other hand, there were statistically significant differences (p0.05) between the time spent on the constant speed test and the distance test (321.6±69.8 s vs. 295.9±72.3 s). The results also showed, there were significant differences (p0.05) in RPE taken in the middle and end of both the distance and duration tests. Results also showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in HR between the end of the distance and duration tests. Inverted J-shaped pacing strategy was followed in the distance test with tendencies for an end-spurt. In contrast, positive pacing strategy was followed in the duration test. These results demonstrate that the nature of the end point (spatial or temporal) could affect pacing strategies and performance during self paced running tests without any changes in HR and RPE. It seems that participants cope with distance better than time as end point. These results can provide coaches and strength and conditioning professionals with relevant information concerning the importance of varying exercise end point during training programs.