Bunny Man

Roger’s World – Monday September 28, 2009

One of the greatest things I get to do is being a Pace Bunny. I did it back in May at the Mississauga Half Marathon, and on Sunday, the organizers of the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon had me back for a fourth year.

I love this race. I first did it back in 1999, and I believe it was my first and fastest half marathon. The race is well organized, has a great expo, and just keeps getting bigger and better each year. They also treat their pacers the best and do an excellent job in recruiting experienced pacers that do what they are supposed to do.

Last year I missed out on all the fun due to my Achilles, and I was extremely thankful that they had me back after that one-year layoff. But then again, I was their most accurate pacer from 2007 (2:00:00.4 for a 2 hr pace goal isn’t too shabby eh!).

So who are those guys in bunny ears that you see at the races? Why do we do it? How did we get the job? What is the mindset?

For me it is a great way to help people achieve their goals and a cool way to be a part of the race experience without actually racing for a personal best (pb) time or placing. The pressure is a bit off in that sense but as a bunny there is the pressure of making sure you can keep the pace. This should not be an issue because when you are selected as a pacer (at least at the Waterfront), the pace that you are assigned is one that at least 15 minutes slower than your pb. While some pacers mess people up, I make sure to stick to the pace like a robot, but secretly bank a second or two every km to give my followers a cushion by the time they reach that last km. There are no crazy surges, or last minute decisions to alter the pace.

As a pacer at Waterfront Marathon, you get a bit more gear and perks, but you also have a few more extra duties, like showing up at special runs, and doing booth duty at the Expo. Plus, there is a fun competition between the pacers to be the closest to the pace time. The winner gets a bag of carrots. I won it in 2007.

On Friday afternoon, I picked up my race kit, pacer sign, bunny ears, and then did my shift at the Asics booth. It was cool chatting with people from all over the World at the booth and on the Expo floor, giving them tips. On Saturday, at 9 am, I did the Friendship Run. This was another terrific experience. I met more athletes from all over the World yet again, with many doing their first marathon or half marathon, and depending on us pacers to get them through.

On Sunday, I was a charged up and excited as if I was doing the race. There was lots of anxiety in the air and lots of people asking my questions prior to the start. We pacers are basically walking/running information booths for the event. The actual race went great. I did 10 and 1’s (run 10 minutes and walk 1 minute), and the group following me felt strong to the end. For some, it felt easy at the start and they left us. But we caught them near the end. This is a big lesson everyone. Be patient. It should feel easy near the beginning, because you want to feel strong at the end. That is the time to pick up the pace and go for it. With 1 km to go I chased off as many followers as I could and told them to hammer it home. I finished in 1:59:45 so those who followed me from the start easily made their 2 hr goal. Congratulations go out to all of those who ran or walked on Sunday. Maybe I will catch you again at another race. Look for those bunny ears.

Have a great week!

Bunny Man