Let’s start with a rather obvious distinction, consistent in the way we are used to thinking: sports are divided into “team” and “individual” sports.
This distinction appears glaring if we think of the game of soccer (team) or tennis (individual). However, there is one aspect that escapes the definitions of sports psychologists and very often all of us: pacers.
In some sports-which are also usually my favorite to watch on TV-there are figures who do not enjoy the limelight. It is about all those athletes who sacrifice themselves for a greater purpose, shouldering enormous labors to make others win. We think of the gregarians of cycling, of course, but also and especially of the unskilled player (journeymen players) of American football, that is, all the linemen (defensive and offensive) who in their lives will never touch a football, never score a touchdown, but on the other hand will take a shitload of hits defending their teammates.
In both of the above cases, however, these are team sports. That is, these people sacrifice, but always for the sake of the team; of a “greater” victory than the individual.
In running, however, there are pacers.
Who are they?
You may have heard ofthemunder the terms of hares (in track and field and road athletics) and dolphins (in road racing, when a man runs as a shadow for a woman). These terms do not usually have a positive connotation, as they are by convention athletes second to the one to whom the pacing service is provided. Think of all those who helped Kipchoge with his record, for example. Strong athletes yes, but not able to print the record.
Here, all this in ultrarunning does not exist.
What is pacing in ultrarunning?
Let’s start with the definition given in the Western States runner’s manual pacing is first and foremost a tradition. As the Western States is the oldest 100-mile race in the world, it is clear how this phenomenon is a founding feature of the sport of ultrarunning.
A pacer is defined as a “partner who accompanies a runner for a distance greater than 100 yards (about 90 meters ed.).” “The pacer was created to make sure that runners do not find themselves alone in remote places during the race.” In almost all races pacers are not hidden figures, like jackrabbits in athletics, but are recognized with a dedicated bib.
In short, whether it is your husband, your son, a friend or a stranger, we are talking about a person who runs a part of the race with you and helps you not to fall asleep, reminds you to drink, eat and cheers you on when he sees you walking. A person running alongside you in a race of many hours.
By convention, pacers can step in after the 50-mile mark (halfway point of the race) and come all the way to the finish line, along with their runner.
Basically you share a night together running, a whole day, or at any rate, many, many hours, running and chatting, telling stories and sharing crazy down and total hight moments.
I already know what you are thinking. We are Europeans and before we think “how nice I would like to do that” we think “yes but it’s not right.” Please know that pacing was created first and foremost to help runners who are fighting to get to the bottom and not to get to the podium, as well as to ensure the safety of the athletes; moreover, each runner is free to choose whether to have a pacer or not; anyone who thinks it is beneficial can have one.
But in all this, what do the pacers gain?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
They do not have a salary like in team sports and do not live in the dark like jackrabbits in athletics. More often than not, America’s top runners put themselves in the service of runners on the lower end of the leaderboard. It just works like that.
One time someone helps you, and another time it will be your turn to help someone.
It’s not about assistance, it’s not about “shadows,” and it’s not about anything rotten or secret; it’s just one of the great traditions of ultrarunning, perhaps the most beautiful.
You are a pacer for someone just because you take pleasure in helping them, in seeing them come through, and to share a memorable day and experience.
Do you want to know the most curious aspect?
In Italy, pacers in ultrarunning races are not only not allowed, but banned by race organizers.
The reason?
I can’t explain it to you.