Pace setter Kiplangat hopes to scale the ladder, win a medal

Pace setter Cornelius Kiplangat is hoping to emulate Noah Ngeny, who once set the pace for Moroccan track legend Hucham El Guerrouj to a 1,500m world record before he returned to beat him for the gold medal in the same race at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

It took Kiplangat, a while to properly understand what pace setting really entails and he believes that many athletics enthusiasts may not know what a rabbit, as they are commonly known, normally goes through.

“I was once told by my manager that unless I am helping the leading pack hit correct times then I was doing zero work.

So for instance, if one is way out in front or too slow, then most definitely, it’s not helping the course.

So if a pace of 63 seconds per lap is needed, that is what you have to maintain, not less not more,”Kiplangat told with People Sport.

The father of two says the work of pacers is usually overlooked despite the individuals guarding eventual winners from such factors as wind resistance and therefore ensuring the champions use less energy in the process of trying to beat world records and time.

Last year he paced in over 10 races including at the London, Birmingham and Shanghai  Diamond League races.

“I have come to understand that good pacing is an ingredient to many good results.

It helps runners to race in a relaxed mode while using less mental energy, knowing very well the person in front is taking care of the pace and splits,” he said, noting that if one doesn’t work according to instructions, he or she is likely to be overlooked for future races.

The 28-year-old doesn’t restrict himself to the track alone, he has done a number of road races as well most recently he paced at the Barcelona half marathon in February where he is happy his team hit the required time.

“The instructions were very clear, help the team clock a time of 59 minutes, a target we managed to achieve easily.

One takes uttermost satisfaction when you help the pack achieve their goals,” he said.

Kiplangat, says the life of a ‘rabbit’ is similar to that of normal athletes or maybe even a little bit intense because they both have to put up with rigorous training schedules.

He says their the training schedule is sometimes even tougher than that of other normal athletes.

“Before the Coronavirus pandemic struck, I had been earmarked to pace in a number of Diamond League races starting with the season opener in Doha in the 1,500m race.

That is how much faith the race organizers have in me. It makes me work extra hard in training to maintain peak form,” he said.

To put the work of pacers into perspective, just like competitive athletes, they are also under management meaning their work is very valuable.

Kiplangat who who trains from Nyahururu Athletics Club under coach Jacob Langat, is under Global Sports management that also manages World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge.