by: Chris Haley

[Editor Note: This is republished from 1997 - a timeless bit of poetry from our club founder]

I recently paced a runner (a Californian with whom I was not previously acquainted) for the last 32 miles of the 1997 Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run. This was the third time I have paced runners, twice at Vermont and once at Western States. I have also used pacers in my two appearances at Vermont. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, most of the 100 mile trail runs allow runners to be paced (accompanied by another non-entrant runner) for anywhere from the last 30 - 50 miles of the race, depending on the race. This is generally in the interest of safety, as the last thing a race director needs is a delirious runner, 80 miles into a race, wandering around in the woods in the middle of the night. It should be noted, however, that a pacer is not required. Following are the top ten reasons you should give pacing a shot.

10. It will provide a rare opportunity for you to feel faster than the person with whom you are running.

9. You can say you got in a 30 - 50 mile training “run”, although in reality it will be nothing more than a long, slow hike.

8. You can eat all of the great junk food they have at the aid stations.

7. You can fake being a real runner in the race and all the people at the aid stations will tell you how great you look for someone who has run 90 miles.

6. You can tell the person you are pacing to stop whining and they will actually think you are trying to help them.

5. You can enjoy the wonderful sounds of nature - including those of your runner belching and farting.

4. If you’re pacing someone of the opposite sex, it’s probably the only time you’ll get permission from your spouse to spend the night with another man/woman.

3. It’s a good excuse to get away from the kids for a night.

2. You could make a friend (or an enemy) for life.

You may need someone to return the favor someday.

… Congratulations to members Mark Longwell, John Carey and Bob Crowley for finishing, in fine fashion, the 1997 Vermont 100 … Also congratulations to Ann Trason for pulling off her second consecutive Comrades-Western States 100 double victory!