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The article uses the term pacer and rabbit but never really explained what function exactly this type of runner performed for the race organizers. They only all

The article uses the term pacer and rabbit but never really explained what function exactly this type of runner performed for the race organizers. They only alluded to this when mentioning other runners depending on the pacer. A little confused who the intended reader for this article is. I had to follow up with a Wikipedia search where just the usage of the term “pacemaker” or “pacesetter” made things more clear.

NoPicklez 4y ago
So you did a Wikipedia search for it, then came back to write a comment about it, whilst also not explaining it either?
- dfcab 4y ago
  Here you go: “A marathon or half marathon pacer is a volunteer runner that runs a race at a specific pace for a target finish time. Pacers are usually veteran runners that have racing and pacing strategies they have mastered which they utilize during the course of the race. Pacers wear some type of signage/object such as a sign, balloon, or shirt identifying their target finish time.” Link: https://halfmarathonforbeginners.com/what-is-a-pacer-in-running/ https://halfmarathonforbeginners.com/what-is-a-pacer-in-runn...
- hdctambien 4y ago
  It is easier to run behind someone and match their pace than it is to lead a race. It is also easier to run faster for shorter distances. A rabbit is someone that runs a fast pace for less than the full race distance so the real racers can be pulled through the early miles and save energy for their push to the finish. Races want runners to run fast times, because that makes them prestigious. Runners want to run fast times, for obvious reasons. So races provide rabbits which lures fast runners to those races.
- diceduckmonk 4y ago
  I’m not ChatGPT, but here is the Wikipedia article that may be of interest. Wikipedia describes “Pacemakers serve the role of conveying tangible information about pacing on the track during a race” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacemaker_(running) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacemaker_(running)
tekla 4y ago
"Pacer" is a common word used to describe many activities that are time limited. It takes the common noun "pace" and a average English speaker )or really even a non native speaker) could figure out "pacer" means "to keep pace".
- diceduckmonk 4y ago
  For someone who does not run marathons, I’d ask why a human would be necessary? People could use smartwatches, or there could be waypoint signs. This is a domain specific thing. Without Googling, did you know what a patternmaker is?
  - hanniabu 4y ago
    Showing a timer or splits is not pacing
    - diceduckmonk 4y ago
      If the watch also measured the distance you’ve travel, is pace not just distance over time? Speaking of wearable, pacemakers serve a different purpose, so the term is ambiguous I’m sure you run then, because again I have no idea what you mean by “splits”
      - infamousclyde 4y ago
        Splits refers to the amount of time passed over a measured distance. A miler would be interested in their 400m split (the time they run through 1/4 of their race), and a marathoner would be more concerned with their mile/km split. Holistically, pacers are just experienced runners that provide even splits over their distance. In a marathon context, running in a group can be quite pleasant and motivating, but there is definitely nothing stopping anyone from just using a GPS watch.
      - mattkrause 4y ago
        Yes and no. In theory, you can pace yourself with a watch and a map. “Splits” are (distance, time) pairs that correspond to a targeted finish time. For example, if you were targeting a 4:00 finish at an even pace, you’d want to be crossing the halfway point at 2:00. In practice, it’s mentally much easier to pace yourself off another person. The implicit peer pressure to stay with the pack helps when you might otherwise start to lag behind and helps you resist the temptation to blow up your plan because “you’re feeling good” and want to go for broke.
SamBam 4y ago
What confused me initially was who was paying him. I went into the article assuming he was pacing for a specific runner or team -- a bit like the teammate cyclist who is tasked with being in front so other cyclists can draft behind him the the Tour de France. So even though the article did mention a race organizer approaching him, I missed that. Do the race organizers request a specific pace knowing what they know about the competitors? Do they ask for input from the various coaches before the meet? Or does he just always run the exact same pace and other racers pace themselves faster or slower just in comparison to him?
- tantalor 4y ago
  From the article, > Meet directors pay him
  - SamBam 4y ago
    Right, I was saying I somehow missed that because it wasn't a salient part of the article, and also (more importantly, probably) I read the first half assuming something else, so my brain probably skipped over something that didn't confirm my belief.
- nl 4y ago
  Usually the race organizers pay well-known runners to appear, and may put incentives (dollars) for given times. Based on these incentives and discussions with the runners (and coaches) the pace the pacesetters run is set.

NoPicklez 4y ago

So you did a Wikipedia search for it, then came back to write a comment about it, whilst also not explaining it either?

dfcab 4y ago
Here you go: “A marathon or half marathon pacer is a volunteer runner that runs a race at a specific pace for a target finish time. Pacers are usually veteran runners that have racing and pacing strategies they have mastered which they utilize during the course of the race. Pacers wear some type of signage/object such as a sign, balloon, or shirt identifying their target finish time.” Link: https://halfmarathonforbeginners.com/what-is-a-pacer-in-running/ https://halfmarathonforbeginners.com/what-is-a-pacer-in-runn...
hdctambien 4y ago
It is easier to run behind someone and match their pace than it is to lead a race. It is also easier to run faster for shorter distances. A rabbit is someone that runs a fast pace for less than the full race distance so the real racers can be pulled through the early miles and save energy for their push to the finish. Races want runners to run fast times, because that makes them prestigious. Runners want to run fast times, for obvious reasons. So races provide rabbits which lures fast runners to those races.
diceduckmonk 4y ago
I’m not ChatGPT, but here is the Wikipedia article that may be of interest. Wikipedia describes “Pacemakers serve the role of conveying tangible information about pacing on the track during a race” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacemaker_(running) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacemaker_(running)

tekla 4y ago

"Pacer" is a common word used to describe many activities that are time limited. It takes the common noun "pace" and a average English speaker )or really even a non native speaker) could figure out "pacer" means "to keep pace".

diceduckmonk 4y ago
For someone who does not run marathons, I’d ask why a human would be necessary? People could use smartwatches, or there could be waypoint signs. This is a domain specific thing. Without Googling, did you know what a patternmaker is?
- hanniabu 4y ago
  Showing a timer or splits is not pacing
  - diceduckmonk 4y ago
    If the watch also measured the distance you’ve travel, is pace not just distance over time? Speaking of wearable, pacemakers serve a different purpose, so the term is ambiguous I’m sure you run then, because again I have no idea what you mean by “splits”
    - infamousclyde 4y ago
      Splits refers to the amount of time passed over a measured distance. A miler would be interested in their 400m split (the time they run through 1/4 of their race), and a marathoner would be more concerned with their mile/km split. Holistically, pacers are just experienced runners that provide even splits over their distance. In a marathon context, running in a group can be quite pleasant and motivating, but there is definitely nothing stopping anyone from just using a GPS watch.
    - mattkrause 4y ago
      Yes and no. In theory, you can pace yourself with a watch and a map. “Splits” are (distance, time) pairs that correspond to a targeted finish time. For example, if you were targeting a 4:00 finish at an even pace, you’d want to be crossing the halfway point at 2:00. In practice, it’s mentally much easier to pace yourself off another person. The implicit peer pressure to stay with the pack helps when you might otherwise start to lag behind and helps you resist the temptation to blow up your plan because “you’re feeling good” and want to go for broke.

SamBam 4y ago

What confused me initially was who was paying him. I went into the article assuming he was pacing for a specific runner or team -- a bit like the teammate cyclist who is tasked with being in front so other cyclists can draft behind him the the Tour de France. So even though the article did mention a race organizer approaching him, I missed that. Do the race organizers request a specific pace knowing what they know about the competitors? Do they ask for input from the various coaches before the meet? Or does he just always run the exact same pace and other racers pace themselves faster or slower just in comparison to him?

tantalor 4y ago
From the article, > Meet directors pay him
- SamBam 4y ago
  Right, I was saying I somehow missed that because it wasn't a salient part of the article, and also (more importantly, probably) I read the first half assuming something else, so my brain probably skipped over something that didn't confirm my belief.
nl 4y ago
Usually the race organizers pay well-known runners to appear, and may put incentives (dollars) for given times. Based on these incentives and discussions with the runners (and coaches) the pace the pacesetters run is set.