Pacemaker (running)

A pacemaker or pacesetter, sometimes informally called a rabbit,[1] is a runner who leads a middle- or long-distance running event for the first section to ensure a high speed and to avoid excessive tactical racing.

Pacemakers are frequently employed by race organisers for world record attempts with specific instructions for lap times.

Pacemakers may be used to avoid the tactics of deception that are possible in competition by those who, for example, race away from the start line (and are likely to subsequently slow down), giving the other runners the impression that they are far behind.

Pacemakers are also used on world record attempts in order to make sure that the runner knows where their invisible "opponent" predecessor is at that stage of the race.

Original rules frowned on a competitor who was not actively trying to win, and pacemakers were required to finish a race for any record to count.

The 1500 metres at the Bislett Games in 1981 became part of track folklore when star athletes including Steve Ovett chose not to follow pacemaker Tom Byers but race among themselves.

[12] In the April 2024 Beijing Half-Marathon, He Jie had his medal revoked when it was discovered, by a special committee, that three pacemakers deliberately slowed down to let him win.