Rabbits

A professional runner doesn't run with a watch during a race (unless they're running on the roads for at least, say, 10 miles; usually).

A pacer (or paster) does two things really:

1. Keep the requested pace for as long as possible or for as long as he/she has been asked to run that pace and

2. To break the wind for the other athletes.

Also, it might surprise you how many athletes including elites have no feel for pace when it's race day. I'm no elite, but I suffer from massive "going-out-way-too-fast"-syndrome myself.

Idonaveh wrote:

Do you know why there are rabbits at races? I mean a profesional runner knows exactly how to choose the right paste without somebody running infront of him. He knows his paste and he has his watch, why do they need those rabbits?

I recommend one with fluoride. Keeps those teeth healthy!

Laughing about my english ha? Very funny.

I think the practice of using rabbits should be discontinued. Really it detracts from the event and just seems like a phony addition. The race is a sporting competition. Part of that competition is deciding on the right pace. Each race develops its own personality in terms of how the group paces itself and how each participant decides where they will run in relation to the group.

Why have a non-race participant have any influence on the pacing. If you want to argue that the times will be faster with a rabbit, that might be true. Be you are reducing one of the elements of the competition, pacing and placement. I can't think of any other sport that has a non-competitor on the field or court guiding the competitors in their performance.

It detracts from the race.

My opinion.

You have obviously never been in high stakes running meets. Rabbits are essential to maximize performance of elite athletes.