Decalogue to a Pacer

The following are the things that I observe when I get the opportunity to pace a friend in a race.

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1. Your Runner is your responsibility.

• Always look after the welfare of your runner.
• Make sure that you can keep up with your runner. It will be funny if you exchange roles (your runner paces you instead).
• When pacing a group of runners, and some must run ahead of the pack, provide instructions to those who are faster, and join those who are slower.
• Familiarize yourself with the route. It will be your fault if you get lost.

2. Be selfless.

• You are there to help your runner to finish the race.
• Your runner should be at the spotlight and not you.

3. Respect the distance.

• Be committed to the agreed distance that you and your runner will run.
• Never leave your runner at one point to meet him/her again in the next point that is nearer to the finish line.

4. Your runner should cross the finish line ahead of you.

• Remember, your runner is the one who is racing, and not you.

5. Ensure that your runner is well hydrated and nourished.

• As much as possible, ask your runner to hydrate/nourish at every available station.
• Hydrate/nourish your runner, then yourself.

6. Keep your runner’s mind busy.

• Do not allow negative things creep in your runner’s mind.
• Tell your runner how you appreciate the things that you see along the route. This will keep your runner’s mind busy.
• Crack jokes, even the corny ones.
• Talk about other things aside from running (e.g. hobbies, movies, etc.).
• Remind your runner of the beautiful picture (medal, families, friends, etc.) that awaits at the finish line.
• Tell stories that would encourage and lift your runner’s spirit.
  

7. Listen to your runner’s body.

• If you have to slow down, then slow down.
• Introduce stretching and first aid if necessary.

8. Create small victories along the way.

• Congratulate your runner every meter, every kilometer that you cover.
• Bargain if you must (e.g. we will walk the next 2 minutes if we run now for 1 minute).

9. If necessary, be ready to switch to SURVIVAL mode.

• Be ready to run in any condition (scorching sun, nasty storm, etc.).

10. Register to become an OFFICIAL pacer.

• Make your participation in the race legitimate. There are Race Directors/Organizers who permit official pacers. If none, then register yourself as one of the runners.
• Do not “bandit”. Would you like gatecrashers to your party?
• If you don’t want to register, then provide nutrition/hydration for yourself and do not get what is allocated for registered runners.