What is a pacer in running and why it can help you beat your personal best
If you've ever run a road race—like a half marathon—you've probably seen someone carrying a balloon to mark a target pace: sub-1:25, 1:30, 1:45′, etc.
That person is a pacer. Today, in the biggest races, you'll see them wearing a bib that says pacer.
And while many runners don’t give them much importance, the truth is that pacers have been behind some of the greatest achievements in running history.
What is a pacer in running?
A pacer is a runner who sets the pace during a race to help others maintain a steady rhythm.
They’re not racing to win. They’re racing to help you perform at your best.
Pacers behind world records
The best athletes in the world don’t run alone.
Behind many records there’s a perfectly designed strategy… and pacers are a key part of it.
Eliud Kipchoge and the marathon
Eliud Kipchoge has a historic connection with the Berlin Marathon, winning it five times (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023). In 2022, he set a stunning world record of 2:01:09, improving his previous best of 2:01: 39 achieved in 2018—cementing his status as the “King of Berlin”.
Eliud Kipchoge has relied on elite pacers—often fellow Kenyan compatriots—for his record-setting performances at the Berlin Marathon (2018, 2022) to maintain a sub-2:02:00 pace. In his 2022 world record of 2:01:09, these pacers were crucial for the aerodynamic benefit of running in a pack, and Kipchoge executed a “5 km–10 km–half marathon–30 km” strategy, breaking away and running alone in the final stretch.
In a marathon, holding your pace is everything.
Kipchoge proved it both at the Berlin Marathon and at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, where he broke the two-hour barrier under the motto “No human is limited”.
In that challenge:
- The pacers rotated continuously.
- They formed a V-shaped formation to reduce air resistance.
- They held an absolutely precise pace.
The result was a 1:59:40 marathon (unofficial). Without pacers, this level of precision and performance wouldn't be possible.
Tigist Assefa and the use of pacers in the marathon
At the Berlin Marathon—one of the fastest races in the world—Tigist Assefa, with a perfectly executed strategy, stopped the clock at 2:11:53.
From the start:
- The pacers set a demanding but steady pace.
- Any sudden changes were avoided.
- Every kilometer was optimized.
Joshua Cheptegei, race pacers and world record
In distances like the 10K, every second counts.
In Cheptegei's world record on track that stopped the clock at 26 minutes and 11 seconds:
- The race pacers set the pace lap by lap. Cheptegei had high-level pacers, including Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Rodrigue Kwizera, who maintained a constant pace below 2:38 min/km.
- He passed the first 5,000 meters in 13:07, indicating a pace that shattered the previous record of 26:17.53.
- After the last pacer dropped back near the 6-kilometer mark, the Ugandan ran alone the last 4 kilometers, closing with a final dizzying kilometer (2:34.3).
Lights on the track were even used to reinforce the pace. The split times of the record were executed with enormous precision that Cheptegei delivered in all his splits: 2:37.9-2:37.2-2:37.7-2:37.0-2:37.9 (13:07.73)-2:37.3-2:36.9-2:37.5-2:37.3 and 2:34.3
Benefits of running with a pacer or with company
Constant pace
Avoid one of the most common mistakes: starting too fast and "paying for it" in the final kilometers.
Reduced mental fatigue
You don't need to constantly watch the clock. You just have to follow the pace.
Reduced perception of effort
Running with company reduces the feeling of fatigue and improves performance.
What about popular races?
Races make pacers available to participants to achieve their personal goals. In the case of the Movistar half-marathon on March 22, 2026, 1h20′, sub 1h25′, 1h30′, 1h35′, 1h40′, 1h45′, 1h50′, 1h55′, 2h, 2h05′, 2h10′.
It is here where we believe Buddy Pacer has an opportunity, with the option to Buddys for Official Races.
Carlos Mayo explains the use of race pacers in the following video:
And, finally, what if your objective, for example, is to run in 1:27? The 1h24 pacer is out of reach and the 1:30h pacer won't work for you. Who can you turn to? Buddy Pacer offers you a unique service, companions who will:
- your same pace
- have your same goal
- approach the race in the same way
Buddys to fight to the end with and achieve your personal best.
Remember that you can calculate your time or pace at which you want to race using the Pace and Time Calculator. 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon
Conclusion: running with company improves your performance
If the best athletes in the world need race pacers to perform at their best...
Why wouldn't you benefit from running with company?
