Sorry this a late post, but what ever method you choose to get the run out, tape the blank on either side. Masking tape is truly the rod builders best friend.
On starting and positioning the thread, I always start it (as mst do) with plenty of room to spare. Then I pull the tag while turning the blank. The tag will pull out and the wrap will walk up to the final resting place.

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The thrill is not in the kill. It's in the deception.