Pacing another runner during a 100+ mile race is one of the most selfless acts a runner can perform. Most races over the ‘tonne’ allow racers to have a fellow runner come and partner with them from the 50-mile-point to the finish. These running pacers can run as much or as little of the remaining miles as they want, but a racer can only ever have one pacer at a time. If you haven’t paced before, check out these tips for how to pace someone.

Help keep your runner safe and sane: The selfless service of the running pacer

Perhaps the best way to look at pacing someone is that you’re not so much Robin in the Dynamic Duo, but more Alfred in a pair of running shoes. Why? Your main task is to keep your runner focused, positive and on top of his or her mental game. I think I’m right in saying that running pacers are allowed because they often partner with a runner during the night stages of an ultra event. The fact that its dark, and most likely cold, on top of the fatigue of the previous 50+ miles can make for a mental mine field. First, there is a clear safety issue when running at night. Second, there’s a strong possibility that even the slightest twinge of pain or inconvenience can turn a runner into a quivering wreck of hopelessness and despair once the night settles in. This is why, no matter how you are feeling, when it’s your job to pace someone, you always need to be overtly positive to your runner.

Own your responsibility: Know your runner and know the course

Once you pick up a runner, a large amount of the responsibility transfers over to you. From here on in all the runner should have to do is move his or her feet. When you pace someone, you’re more fresh and more alert, so you should decide how fast you both run and in what direction. This means you need to have knowledge of the course and a good sense of direction – especially if you need to navigate at night. You absolutely have to be ready for this and take charge of the situation immediately. Ideally, you’ll know your runner pretty well so you should have an idea of his or her capabilities. This will allow you to jump right in and handle the pace, making sure it’s not too fast and definitely not too slow.

It should be your responsibility to push your runner when you’re riding the highs and lead your runner through the lows. When you’re pacing someone, definitely don’t get your runner lost! You are now the compass and navigator. Keep an eye out for course markers and if you want to be a truly great running pacer, get to gates ahead of your runner and hold them open. This is top-drawer pacer etiquette and consequently endows you with an eternity of returned favors from your runner.

Suffer and celebrate in silence: Patiently stand by as your runner fuels up and celebrates the finish

You get very little plaudits when you pace someone; not because what you’re doing isn’t impressive, but because when the history books are written, you are nowhere to be seen. I’m not saying aid stations will ignore you, but you have to be OK with the fact that you are the indie pop group opening for Coldplay. So when you get to an aid station your duty is to get yourself sorted quickly with a refill and maybe a couple handfuls of food, then wait patiently for your runner to saddle up.

When your runner crosses the finish line, give your congratulations and celebrate together, then step back so he or she can bask in the glory of the accomplishment. If you can be OK with all of this, then you’re going to be a great pacer. It’s not a job to be taken lightly, but my final word after all of this is that whether you do all or none of the above, you’re still a running hero. The company of a friend or companion is a welcome addition in a race situation like this and there’s no doubt you’ll have a laugh or two along the way. You know what they say about a problem shared… well, maybe it’s not halved, but having someone along who knows how to pace is definitely a help.