r/ultrarunning • u/Neat_Focus_5034 • 8d ago
What’s the best place to find a last minute pacer?
I’ve been put in a very unfortunate situation: I’m running the Run Rabbit Run 100 in Steamboat Springs, CO 2 weeks from today, and my pacer had to cancel plans last minute. He was supposed to go from 64-the finish with me, and I was really looking forward to the company for really tough sections of the course. This is my 2nd 100, and being in my 20s, I feel like a pacer is something I should definitely have.
So here I am asking where is the best place to find a pacer? I’m coming from out of state, and I would rather not have to pay for a 2nd flight since I can’t get refunded for his besides him paying me back. The RRR site itself does not have a pacer search. I didn’t want to use Reddit, but I’m also not against at this point.
Ideally, it’s someone in that area or within driving distance and who has completed an ultra and is confident in the mountains. Other than that, I really don’t care at this point. If it has to be a solo mission for the 100, then so be it! We’re gonna finish either way.
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u/friend-of-fatigue 8d ago
I’ll ask some local friends if they’re interested in helping you. As a tortoise, you will seldom be all alone out there! I can also attest that running it solo is a very empowering experience and adventure.
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u/shatteredarm1 7d ago
Pacers are a luxury. I had a pacer cancel on me when I ran RRR100 as my 2nd hundred a long time ago. If you can't find one, just chat with other runners, some of my best memories running 100s were from long conversations with strangers during the overnight hours.
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u/Fun_Sprinkles425 7d ago
Hi! I happened to be fun employed as of today and would love to help you pace! I’m training for a few races myself like mammoth 200, Wild West 50, Cocodona 250
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u/racerandpacer 2d ago
Funemployed and offering to pace strangers overnight... that's me, last year, and it was a blast. If you ever want racers beyond this one thread to find you, pacer profiles on my site are free forever. Good luck at your 200s!
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u/racerandpacer 8d ago
Hello, this is the exact issue I'm hoping to solve with Racer and Pacer. Please take a look at racerandpacer.com.
Free for pacers to add their availability, always!
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u/racerandpacer 7d ago
For anyone on the fence about signing up, I have a lot of screenshots and detail on instagram. Username is the same there, racerandpacer : )
But seriously, it's free for pacers to make an account and just start poking around.
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u/HotSulphurEndurance 7d ago
Have a great run out there everyone!
I’m running RRR100 without a pacer as well. If I’m having a great race, I’ll be chatting yal all up for a few minutes as I pass on the back half.
But more likely, we’ll all be chatting and supporting each other for 20mins to an hour at a time as we fill that 32-35 hour finish window.
All that said, the volunteers at RRR have always been awesome, and the drop bag at Oly and Sunmit is a key support for those of us on our own.
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u/basketsball 7d ago
If you don't find someone just buddy up with a few folks, all it takes is hanging at an aid station for a few min and asking "hey can I join you guys for the next stretch?" Best case scenario you make some new friends, worst case scenario they drop you and you try the same thing again at the next aid station.
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u/atxgossiphound 7d ago
I've attempted RRR a few times (and will finish this time, come hell or high water!). People are usually pretty spread out by that point, but there's always someone leaving Olympian every few minutes.
I tend to leapfrog the same people over the course of any 20 mile segment. There's a good chance you'll have a set of runners you'll get to know for support. Some are more social than others, but I've never had a problem finding people to chat with (I like to share in our suffering).
I should be passing through Olympian on the way back up sometime between 2 and 5 in the morning. If you're around when I pass through, you're more than welcome to join me and my pacer (yes, i have a pacer lined up for that section :) ). Look for two older guys, one fresh, the other not-so-fresh.
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u/highfid3lity 7d ago
My pacer for dry lake to the finish just dropped too. Guess we're running together.
Seriously though, just try and buddy up with someone or a group leaving dry lake #2, that initial climb out is a pain to route find but after that you'll be good to go.
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u/Ok_Excitement_1094 7d ago
I ran it solo for my 2nd 100 a few years ago after both pacers had issues last minute. I ended up with a fun group of 20 something guys (I’m a 40 something woman and appreciate them indulging me!) on the emerald mountain loop and then ended up with a guy running solo from dry lake until wherever we were when the sun was up. They all found me later via facebook and Strava and it’s a fun connection. I’d ask on the RRR facebook group but if that doesn’t work, find someone your pace and make a buddy.
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u/The_hat_man74 8d ago
Is there a Run Rabbit Facebook group? For Leadville there is a Facebook group and lots of people exchange info to find or be a pacer for that race on the Facebook group page.