A pacer runner for half marathons has revealed what it's like - and prints out laminated cards to make sure she is on time for each mile.<br /><br />Lauren Orchard, 29, got the bug for marathons after she ran her first without any training while at Brighton university.<br /><br />When she finally got to run the London marathon in April 2023 she spent four months consistently training and completed with a time of four hours and 16 minutes.<br /><br />But afterwards she felt something was "missing" and decided to become a pacer - someone who runs in races to help set the pace for runners.<br /><br />Now she has been a pacer for 10 half marathons and "loves it".<br /><br />Lauren, a data analyst, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey said: "When I'd done it [the London marathon] I felt like something was missing.<br /><br />"I had dedicated so much time to running.<br /><br />"I'd always been so thankful for the pacer and thought I can do that.<br /><br />"I run as evenly as possible.<br /><br />"People are relying on me to run an accurate run.<br /><br />"It's such a fufilling thing to do."<br /><br />Lauren first completed the Brighton marathon in 2014.<br /><br />She said: "I struggled through in just five hours.<br /><br />"As awful as it was I really enjoyed it."<br /><br />Last year, Lauren took a British Heart Foundadion slot to run the London marathon.<br /><br />She said: "I thought I'm doing it properly this time.<br /><br />"I did a full training plan.<br /><br />"My whole life revolved around training."<br /><br />Lauren remembered how grateful she had been for the pacer during her races and reached out to companies to see if she could be one.<br /><br />She ran her first race as a pacer for the St Albans half marathon in June 2023 and has now done 10 runs as a pacer.<br /><br />Lauren said: "Everyone is so grateful and so thankful."<br /><br />Lauren runs a pace between one hour and 50 minutes and two hours and 30 minutes - and prints out laminated cards to keep the right pace at each mile.<br /><br />As well as keeping the pace she is there for encouragement to help people get over the line.<br /><br />Although Lauren is not running in the London marathon this year - she is sharing her tips for those taking part.<br /><br />She said: "No matter what happens remember to enjoy it.<br /><br />"Make sure you plan your route to start really clearly.<br /><br />"Plan your race day outfit and do a test run in it.<br /><br />"Eat lots of carbs and protein."<br /><br />Lauren would love to pace the London marathon.<br /><br />She said: "I've found a true hobby and passion.<br /><br />"My goal would be to pace a marathon."
