My name is hare. Hare of luxe. Purveyor of numerous world and personal records. Find out what I can do for you and when you can use my services.
The name is ‘hare’, but you can refer to it as pace-maker, or pacer. You’ve definitely saw someone taking this role. That are the runners who take the lead for the first part of the race and set the pace.
Eliud Kipchoge, the world marathon record holder and the only athlete ever to run under two hours in an (unofficial) marathon, even had an army of pace setters on hand to see his world stunt through to completion. During the famous Ineos 1:59 Challenge, the most successful marathon runner of all time could count on no fewer than 38 hares . They alternated – against all rules – every lap so that Kipchogewas corralled from start to finish.
It says a lot about the importance of such a pace-setter in a match. And this is not only true for marathon runners. From distances of 800m they are called upon. Research therefore shows that a pacer can do its companions a great service on several levels.
Living windshield
A pacer has an important influence on the elements of nature. By running in the lead , he captures 80% of the air resistance . The other runners are thus put out of the wind and can save strength that they can use in later stages of the race.
Pacekeeper
At least as important as the physical effect, is the positive psychological effect caused by a pacer. A pacer is usually given a target time in advance that it should approach as tightly as possible. It frees the runners behind the pacer to keep their focus away from the clock, pace or split times. After all, the pacer watches over all these aspects. The only thing the runners in his track need to focus on is staying on top of the pacer.
Research shows that when athletes do not have to focus on their pace , they perceive the effort as much easier . The explanation? They save a lot of (mental) energy and are less likely to realize that their body is signaling them to slow down.


Take advantage of the ‘pacer effect’ yourself during Saucony You Race, We Pace
Would you like to take advantage of a pacer yourself who will leave at a pace of your choice? Then on June 4, you can participate in Saucony You Race, We Pace, an event by Keep on Running. In this race, trained pacers will lead you to your personal record on the 5 kilometers. All at a unique competition location. The event will take place at Beauvechain Air Force Base.
Do you feel like challenging yourself in a unique competition format where your biggest competitor is the clock? Is your target time on the 5K between 15 and 35 minutes? And do you want to race in a special location with a DJ playing your favorite running disc along the way? Then sign up quickly for Saucony You Race, We Pace.