Among over 30,000 participants in this year's Guangzhou Marathon, there is a group of individuals who stand out – the official pacers of the marathon, affectionately known as the"rabbits" by fellow runners. They always arrive early at the starting line to warm up with the participants, rung ahead with small flags displaying finishing time segments, and constantly assist runners in adjusting their pace.

A total of 69 official pacers were appointed for this year's Guangzhou Marathon, including 44 full marathon pacers leading 8 finishing time segments and 25 half marathon pacers leading 6 finishing time segments. Among them is Zhong Jianhong, a 35-year-old local from Guangzhou, who serves as one of the pacers for the full marathon with a target finishing time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. 

"Pacers not only need to control the rhythm of the runners they accompany but also assist them in regulating their breathing and stride frequency during the race. Additionally, they must remain vigilant about the physical condition of the participants and extend a helping hand promptly if anyone encounters any difficulties. Ultimately, pacers should ensure the safe completion of the race for the runners," Zhong explained to a reporter from the Yangcheng Evening News.

Having participated in the Guangzhou Marathon since 2017, Zhong took on the role of an official pacer starting in 2018. This year's marathon marks his third time serving as a pacer. Reflecting on the development of the Guangzhou Marathon over these years, Zhong has been deeply impressed by the remarkable improvement in the participants' skill level. In his view, as the enthusiasm of the city's residents for the marathon has grown in recent years, the overall competence of the participants has also increased significantly.

"In the past, it was considered impressive for amateur runners to complete a marathon, and crossing the 3-hour and 30-minute mark was a major achievement. Now, many runners can break the 3-hour barrier. The overall improvement in the athletes' abilities has elevated the standard of the event, making the Guangzhou Marathon an increasingly remarkable city showcase," Zhong Jianhong said.

Although Zhong Jianhong only started running marathons in 2016, it wasn't until 2017 that he began formal training. He achieved his personal best time of 3 hours, 5 minutes, and 49 seconds in the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon. When discussing his own progress, Zhong repeatedly emphasized the importance of scientific training. He explained that running a marathon is a comprehensive discipline that requires scientific and rational planning in terms of training, recovery, sleep, and diet. "It is essential to progress gradually based on one's individual circumstances in order to improve performance steadily while ensuring good health," Zhong Jianhong concluded.

Source:Yangcheng Evening News

广马领跑员钟健鸿：选手水平提高让广马变成亮眼的城市名片

早早来到起点带领选手热身、背上插着完赛时段的小旗跑在队前、时刻帮助选手调整配速……在今年广马三万余名参赛选手中，有一群人的身影格外醒目，他们就是广州马拉松赛的官方领跑员，跑友们亲切地称呼他们“兔子”。

今年广马一共设置了69名官方领跑员，其中全马领跑员44人，分别带领8个完赛时段；半马领跑员25人，分别带领6个完赛时段。今年35岁的广州本地人钟健鸿是领跑全马的“兔子”之一，他带领的时段是3小时45分钟。

“领跑员不仅需要掌控跟跑选手的节奏，还需要在比赛中帮助选手调节呼吸、步频等。此外还需要随时留意参赛选手的身体状况，一旦发现有人不对劲，需要及时伸出援手。归根结底，领跑员需要保证跟跑选手安全完赛。”钟健鸿对羊城晚报记者介绍说。

钟健鸿从2017年起开始参加广马比赛，2018年起，钟健鸿开始担任广马官方领跑员，到本届已是第三次。谈及这些年广马的发展，钟健鸿对参赛选手水平的突飞猛进感触颇深，在他看来，随着近年来市民参加广马的热情愈发高涨，广马参赛选手的水平也越来越高。

“以前业余跑者能完成一个马拉松已经算是很厉害了，3小时30分更是一个大关，现在很多跑者都能‘破3’，选手整体素质的提高也让赛事水平越来越高，广马正越来越成为广州一张亮眼的城市名片。”钟健鸿说。

钟健鸿从2016年才开始接触马拉松，但从2017年开始才接触到正规训练，在2019年广马比赛中跑出3小时5分49秒的个人最好成绩，说起自己成绩的提高，钟健鸿一再强调科学训练的重要性。钟健鸿表示，“跑马”是门大学问，训练、康复、睡眠、饮食都需要进行科学合理的规划，“一定要根据自身情况循序渐进，这样才能在保证健康的同时稳定提高成绩。”

文 | 记者 吕航 苏荇 柴智 龙希
图 | 记者 钟振彬（除署名外）
翻译｜陈萱
责编 | 王瑜瑛
校对 | 张家梁