Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 118, May 2019 | Page 46

PACESETTERS
Bonitas
Setting
the Pace
Bonitas has been a proud key sponsor of the Comrades Marathon for over a
decade. This year sees us extend our vision to ensure that all the runners are
supported from start to finish through our various initiatives. The pacesetters
will ensure that we fulfil this vision as they will be encouraging and supporting
runners to complete the race.
From informal beginnings in the early 2000s, where a small
handful of runners initially volunteered to pace mostly in
Western Cape races, pacesetting has grown across the country
and is now formally recognised in the ASA rules, and by many
race organisers. And there are now formal groups of pace setters
organised in the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal,
with other pacesetters operating in other areas of the country.
Paul Murphy
What does a Pacesetter Do?
The definition of pacesetting is when a particular runner – the
pacesetter, or bus driver – leads a group of runners – the bus, or
passengers – to run together to achieve a specific target time in
a specific race. The aim of the pacesetter is to achieve that time
whilst running a near-even-effort race, while taking into account
the profile of the race, slower uphill and quicker downhill sections,
and any run/walk strategy that might be employed. On bigger
or longer races, the pacesetter will also factor in an estimate of
the congestion at the start and an allowance for general fatigue
towards the end.
The type of pacesetters and pacesetting buses differ,
dependent upon the personality of the bus driver. Some are
very jovial with singing, chanting and even tambourines for
keeping the running beat, while others are more focused
on making a quick target time and all effort is put into the
running. Passengers are free to join or leave the bus as and
when they want.
Who Leads the Pack?
The three main pacesetting organisations in SA are led by a
set of dedicated co-ordinators, who have not only signed up
as pacesetters themselves but have decided to give back to
the running community by organising the pacesetters in their
respective provinces. In the Cape, Paul Murphy heads up the
Western Province Pace Setters, while Mindlo Mdhluli leads the
KZN Pace Setters. Last but not least is Buks van Heerden, who
not only looks after the Gauteng Pace Setters, but has also
played a key role in launching pacesetting in other provinces.
We caught up with these pacesetter leaders for a quick chat.
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ISSUE 118 MAY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Western Province
Pace Setters
Paul voluntarily decided to keep pacesetting
going in the Western Cape when the magazine
that originally started the initiative stopped its
regular pacesetting service.
1. How did you get into running?
My wife had been running for a couple of years,
I was in my early 40’s and needed to lose weight
and get fit, so running became the logical answer.
2. What led you to pacesetting?
I joined up with the original pacesetters in the
Western Cape about 10 years ago, and when that
group disbanded, I took over the co-ordination
of a new group, as I realised that pacesetting was
something I was good at and that I enjoyed. I
have a mathematical, analytical background, and
pacesetting ticks both those boxes.
3. What does it take to be a good pacesetter?
You need to have a passion for helping others,
otherwise you will lose motivation over time.
Then there are the execution aspects, which I like
to divide into two parts: The first aspect is the
technical aspect of running the race to the pace
chart – not too fast and not too slow. The second
aspect is the motivation of or communication
with the bus. Talking through the race route,
explaining where the hills are and when you will
walk, gives people the confidence that they can
stay in your bus. This is particularly important for
longer races, but even on shorter races, saying an
encouraging word to someone can help them to
dig deep and make the time.
4. What has been your most challenging run as
a pacesetter?
The first time the Two Oceans Half went over
Edinburgh Drive, I was pacing the 2:15 bus. It
was dark and very, very congested, meaning we
had to run/walk most of the early kilometres,
and by the 4km at the top of Wynberg Hill, I was
nine minutes behind the chart. I had to run an
effective 2:00-pace from thereon in!
5. What motivates you to keep pacesetting?
I get satisfaction from pacing accurately to
the chart, and I get joy from helping people to
reach their running targets. A word of thanks or
a sweaty hug and seeing the smiles on runners’
faces at the end of a race well run are great
rewards for pacesetters.
6. Advice for those who want to become
pacesetters?
Start on shorter races before trying to pace a
marathon, and join up with a pacesetter that runs
at about the same times you would want to pace,
to learn how they do it.
Action
You see them at the head of a large group of runners, carrying a flag that indicates what their target finish time is, and you hear the ‘bus drivers’ telling their ‘passengers’
about the pace, and planned walk breaks, in between singing, chanting, dancing, joking and passing on advice and motivation. These are the official Pacesetters, all
volunteers who give up their own race to help others achieve their target times or medals.