Discover the Benefits of Running with a Pacer: Meet Our 2023 Pacers

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, running with a pacer can have a significant impact on your race performance. In this blog, we’ll share insights on why you should trust your pacer, use them as a guide, and take advantage of their tips and advice. We’ll also explain why pacers are so invested in helping you reach your goal and how you can make the most of your experience running with them. So, let’s dive in and discover the benefits of running with a pacer!

– Trust them. Typically, pacers run 45 seconds to 3 minutes per mile slower than their own race pace. So, avoid constantly looking at your watch. If you’re near a pace crew, they are within 1-2 minutes of the goal time. Continuously checking your watch wastes energy and adds unnecessary stress. Instead, settle into the pace and trust your pacer.

– Use the pacers as a guide. You can still enjoy music, run slightly further back, or run with friends, but let the pacers serve as a moving target for your race goals. Keeping a slight distance from the pacers will help you stay on pace while knowing you’re ahead of your goal time. If you feel strong, they will indicate when it’s appropriate to pass them.

– Pacers provide valuable tips and advice! They know when to utilize downhill sections or slow down on uphills. They will remind you when to hydrate or consume nutrition during the race. With their experience, they are likely familiar with the course, having paced or studied it beforehand. They offer suggestions like relaxing your toes and adjusting your shoulder posture. Most importantly, they cheer you on throughout the entire race, acting as your personal cheer squad!

– Their goal is to help you achieve your own goal. Pacers are dedicated individuals who aim to give back and ensure you finish the race strong! There is not a pace group for every time, so line up near a pacer and talk to the runners around you. Start off a bit conservative and pick up the pace later. Enjoy the experience, stick to your plan and enjoy the victory lap – you have trained for this 10k, half or full marathon!

Meet your 2023 Madison Marathon pacers courtesy of Fleet Feet Madison & Sun Prairie

FULL MARATHON

Time: 3:30
Pace: 8:01

Matt Barnum
I’m a Middleton resident and lifelong runner who’s taken to marathon running since my late 30s. I’ve run marathons big and small, from small two Wisconsin races with 50 finishers to the Chicago Marathon and nearly 50,000. My favorite race was the 2019 Boson Marathon, where I achieved my marathon PR of 3:02:30. While I still love running, I get even more pleasure from watching my teenage daughters compete in cross country.

Ryan Jester
Ryan’s first marathon was the 2008 Madison Marathon. After taking a few years off from the marathon distance he took another swing at it in 2012 and hasn’t stopped since, completing roughly 20 full marathons. Ryan has been training and pacing with the Fleet Feet crew for a number of years and is frequently spotted at pub runs plotting future marathon destination trips. His recent family addition is a 14-week-old Bernadoodle puppy named Sophie that he’d love to share photos of.

Time: 3:40
Pace: 8:23

Katie Mace
Katie has run several marathons over the years. What started as a roommate challenge in college, running has become a huge part of her life. Now chasing after 3 kids, running is an activity that allows for her to find time for herself. This is her third time pacing the full marathon in Madison.

Shawn Drenning
A Madison native now living in Texas, Shawn got his start competing in cross country and track at Madison East High School.  After going to college where he stopped running, Shawn ran his first Madison Marathon, a race that went about as well as you’d expect it to.  Since then, Shawn has completed 11 marathons (training for them this time!) and many half-marathons.  He looks forward to pacing in Madison and helping other runners achieve their goals.

Time: 4:00
Pace: 9:10

Shilo Titus
I started running in 2010 to help with my anxiety and it turns out that I actually enjoyed it.   Since then, I’ve pushed myself farther and farther.  I’ve done various distanced throughout my running career with the farthest being 16 hours and 49 minutes.   Which ended up being 69.3 miles.   I did the event for charity and raised $16,000 for homeless children in Rock County.   I’ve been pacing the Madison Marathon for the last 4 years all at the 4:00 mark.   I really enjoy helping others get their mark and hope to be able to continue with this tradition.

Chad Koch
I’ve been running in the Madison area and racing marathons since 2001. By day I train software developers. Other times you’ll likely find me with my wife and three kids enjoying a seasonally appropriate activity: hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, swimming, skiing, gaming, singing – it’s all good!  I look forward to helping more runners meet their goals!

Time: 4:20
Pace: 9:54

Jessica Anderson
Jessica is back to pace the 4:20 group! She has paced this group every year since 2013. Madison Marathon was also her first marathon back in 2002! She enjoys giving nutrition and form tips, keeping runners on track, and seeing them achieve their running goals. She also owns Fleet Feet Madison & Sun Prairie so feel free to stop by if you have questions while you train for the 10k, half, or full marathon.

Kristen Wold
Kristen is excited to pace Madison Marathon for the third time. This is her second time pacing the 4:20:00 group and she has also paced 5 hours.  Kristen has run several marathons and finds the Madison Marathon among her favorites – running through the familiar areas of Madison is like a homecoming parade! She loves to cheer runners on and help provide a sense of calm and reassurance that hard things are achievable.

Time: 4:40
Pace: 10:41

Phil Paque
I’m Phil Paque, and I can usually be found running the streets of Lodi or out on the Ice Age Trail. I coach both Cross Country and Track. I run every day rain or shine and most weekends I take off early only returning once my wife starts wondering where I am. Father of two, with a third on the way!

Melissa Johnson
Melissa realized she had the ability to run when she was in 6th grade for PE class.  Running the mile in PE class led her to compete for 10 years in cross country and track.  After completing her college running, she decided to take a break because she needed it.  In the last year, she has signed up to participate in a run every month.  The distances have been anywhere from running a 2K to a marathon.  When she is not running, you may see her out coaching young runners, coordinating groups to work events at a local high school, attending Major League Baseball games, in addition to pursuing a Masters’s Degree in Athletic Administration.

HALF MARATHON
Time: 1:40
Pace: 7:38

Matt Pogodzinkski
Lifelong runner and finished 16 marathons including 3 Boston Marathons.  Moving into triathlons but first love is still running.  Lucky husband to an amazing wife and father of two girls who works as an otolaryngologist in my off time.

Chris Jungkans
My name is Chris W Jungkans and have been running since 2012. I have paced the Marathon and the Half Marathon distances for Fleet Feet over the last few years. I am a Vascular Access Specialist Registered Nurse and work at Advocate Aurora Health in Kenosha, Wisconsin. After 10 years last March, I finally completed the World Marathon Majors Challenge in Tokyo! My favorite city to run is right here in Madison! Look forward again to this November to help runners achieve their running goals by transversing the hills of Madison and crossing that elusive finish line!

Time: 1:50
Pace: 8:24

Aaron Hizon
Aaron has run 112 half marathons and 36 full marathons. The Madison half will be his 8th year pacing 1:50 there. He resides in Sheboygan, WI with his wife and two boys.

Eric Baum
Eric has completed 30+ marathons with a Personal Best of 2:56:30. He resides in Madison and when he’s not running or hanging out with his family, he can be found tending to their vegetable garden.

Time: 2:00
Pace: 9:10

Heidi Sutter
I am an experienced endurance athlete based in Dubuque, Iowa. With a passion for running and triathlons, I have completed 11 marathons, 35 half marathons, and 8 half Ironmans. I even conquered the challenging 140.6 Ironman in Madison. Running the Boston Marathon twice and preparing for another upcoming race this spring has been a thrilling experience. When I’m not training or competing, I enjoy listening to audio books, following women’s sports (especially the Iowa Women’s basketball team), indulging in some retail therapy, and exploring my culinary skills in the kitchen. This year, I’m excited to take on a new role as a pacer, helping others achieve their goals and cheering them on during their race.

Paula Ervolino
I started running in 2010 and have run 51 half marathons, 3 Ragnars, my first full marathon in 2022, and the Boston Marathon in 2023.  I’m currently training for the Houston Marathon in January. Running is my passion; this is my first pacing opportunity and I’m hopeful I can help others achieve their running goals.  My husband and I have three children who keep us busy with sports and activities.

Time: 2:15
Pace: 10:18

Scott Schumann
Scott has been running half and full marathons for the last twelve years. He currently lives in Madison with his fiancé and their dog, Winston.

Petra Kilian
Petra is a dynamic endurance coaching professional, currently certified as a USAT Level One triathlon coach as well as Revo2lution Running coach. She also is an experienced indoor cycling instructor, Functional Training trainer and LesMills BodyPump class instructor. An avid Open water swimmer, she is a masters swim certified instructor as well and is a Red Cross certified lifeguard, incl. CPR, First Aid and AED.

Petra is a 7-time Ironman. She has competed in countless triathlon races, including the 70.3 World championship, She is a multiple Boston marathon runner. She has finished triathlons and running events of every distance.

Petra’s endurance coaching style centers on building tight, trusted relationships with athletes using charismatic, honest communication and leveraging her vast personal experience as an endurance athlete.

Time: 2:30
Pace: 11:27

Hailey Cassidy
Hi, my name is Hailey. I was born and raised in Texas but I have lived in Madison for the past 4 and a half years. I’ve been a runner my whole life since riding in a jogging stroller pushed by my mom. I have run 4 full marathons and 17 half marathons including the Madison half marathon the last two years. I was a pacer for it last year and am excited to pace you all to the finish/your goals this year!

Heather Debby
Heather Debby is excited to pace the half marathon this year – her sixth in Madison – and doubly excited to start building another picture out of medals. Heather is a middle school teacher in Chicago and a Peloton aficionado. She is hoping for Madison’s typical wintry temperatures (where else can you get a Gatorade slushie at a water stop?!) and can’t wait to help other runners fulfill their goals!

Special thanks to Jessica Anderson and Jacky Hernandez with Fleet Feet Madison Sun Prairie for providing content for this blog!