Home / Official Pacers

Pacers Program

The Pacers Program assists participants to their time goals in the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon and ASICS Half Marathon. Pacers are experienced runners who aim to maintain a relatively even pace throughout the race with the goal to have you finishing slightly faster (30 seconds or so) than your goal time. As the Toowoomba course has some hills there will be times where they will have you running slightly faster than the average pace to make up for the climbs.

For easy visibility, the pacers will be carrying a coloured balloon and a goal time sign high amongst the starting runners. Each pace runner will also wear a singlet with the goal time marked on the back. It’s important to know the start zone your pace runner will be in and ensure you choose the same start zone when you enter so you can start the race near your pacers. 

Since the marathon and half marathon both start together, the pace times (with the exception of the 1:30 half marathon pacer) have been designed to align together e.g. the 1:45:00 half marathon pacer and the 3:30:00 marathon pacer will run together whilst guiding & motivating you throughout the race. 

Pacers will run to the ‘Net Time’ (also called ‘Chip Time’). Net Time is the time it takes you to complete the distance once you’ve crossed the start line. Note: Due to participant numbers, it may take several minutes to cross the start line after the gun is fired. 

 

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon Pace Times

Pace Group min/km Balloon Colour Position Pacers
3 hr 30mins 4:59 min/km Purple Middle of Zone A  Anh Tung Pham & John White
3 hr 45mins 5:20 min/km Purple Back of Zone A  John Hughes & Peter Hughes
4 hrs 5:42 min/km  Purple Middle of Zone B  Stuart Pocknee & Jessica Pattel
4 hr 30 mins 6:24 min/km  Purple Back of Zone B  Abraham Naude & Hai Loung
5 hrs  7:07 min/km  Purple Front of Zone C  Jimmy O’Grady & Gia Argo
Chaser (6hrs 30mins)*
*Chaser will run to gun time		 9:15 min/km Purple Back of Zone C Carmel Grashuis & Peita Hillman

 

Marathon Pacers

 

ASICS Half Marathon Pace Times

Pace Group min/km Balloon Colour Position Pacers
1 hr 30 mins  4:16 min/km Yellow Front of Zone A  Emmanuel Vergara & Sean Needham
1 hr 45 mins  4:59 min/km  Yellow Middle of Zone A  Jeremy Cox
1 hr 52 mins 30 seconds 5:20 min/km Yellow Back of Zone A  Lou Brownlie & Yoland Willemse
2 hrs  5:42min/km  Yellow Middle of Zone B  Ricardo Nitschke & Louise Macdonald
2 hrs 15 mins  6:24 min/km  Yellow Back of Zone B Craig Millikan
2 hrs 30 mins  7:07 min/km  Yellow Front of Zone C Sarah McKibbin
Chaser (3hrs 45mins)*
*Chaser will run to gun time		 10:40 min/km Yellow Back of Zone C Deb Auchterlonie & Shane Dicinoski

 

Half Marathon Pacers

 

Want to be a pacer in 2025? (Allocation Exhausted)

To adequately carry out the pacer role you’ll need to be able to comfortably run the pace you’ve nominated for. You also need to be prepared to offer encouragement and motivate runners. All volunteer pacers will receive a race entry to their designated race and a pacer singlet.

The Pacer Program is curated and supported with assistance from the Toowoomba Road Runners (TRR) Club. The Toowoomba Road Runners members are given priority access to pacing at this event if individuals are suitable for the role. Additional spots are filled according to demand.

Pacer allocations are now FULL for 2025 – if you would like to be considered as an emergency pacer please complete the application form – PACER APPLICATION

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon Pacers

Pace Group: 3hrs 30min
Pace: 4:59min/km

Anh Tung Pham

I want to help other runners achieve their goals and share my passion for running with the community. Being a pacer allows me to support and encourage fellow runners throughout their marathon journey. I am an experienced pacer with a marathon PB of 2:56:39.

 

Pace Group: 3hrs 30min
Pace: 4:59min/km

John White

I’m passionate about running and supporting others. I believe running fosters mental and physical well-being, and I love to help others achieve their goals while enjoying the journey. I have completed 48 marathons, paced 7 and have a marathon PB of 3:01:25 from Sydney in 2023.

 

Pace Group: 3hrs 45min
Pace: 5:20min/km

John Hughes

I am an active member of the Toowoomba Road Runners and am very familiar with running in Toowoomba. I love seeing people conquer challenges and achieve personal bests, pacing is a great way to do that.

 

Pace Group: 3hrs 45min
Pace: 5:20min/km

Peter Hughes

To love help other runners like myself achieve what they are capable of doing in their running journey. I have been a member of Toowoomba Road Runners for a number of years now and feel the experience I have gained helps me to help others achieve their goal of running their goal time. I’m confident I can provide encouragement and support for those in our pace group.

 

 

Pace Group: 4hrs
Pace: 5:42min/km

Stuart Pocknee

I’ve been running Toowoomba hills for the past 2 years so I am well acquainted with their delights! 😁 Last year I ran the half marathon course 9 times in the lead up to race day to make sure I knew it backwards. Four hours is a time considered by many to be the difference between a good run, and a great run. This is 100% true on this course. I want to help anyone aiming to have a great run, achieve it!! I love running, and love having a good yarn along the way.

 

Pace Group: 4hrs
Pace: 5:42min/km

Jessica Pattel

I find running to be incredibly uplifting and beneficial for both my mental and physical well-being. It’s a privilege to be able to run, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people along the way.

I’ve volunteered to pace the Toowoomba Marathon. I’m always eager to take on new challenges and I’m proud to represent the Toowoomba Road Runners Club.

 

Pace Group: 4:30hrs
Pace: 6:24min/km

Abraham Naude

 

 

Pace Group: 4:30hrs
Pace: 6:24min/km

Hai Luong

I love to pace at the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon weekend. Last year, I paced at 3h30 marathon group. Runing at the Toowoomba is my part of the turning-back process with the nature. I love it and welcome all runners!

 

 

Pace Group: 5hrs
Pace: 7:07min/km

Jimmy O’Grady

A friend inspired me to give back to the running community by pacing at the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon. Let me help you achieve your 5 hour goal.

 

Pace Group: 5hrs
Pace: 7:07min/km

Gia Argo

I have been a member of Toowoomba Road Runners for two years now. I have paced a friend for a parkrun which was a lot of fun! I would love to have the opportunity to do this again and help people get a PB on our beautiful course.

 

Pace Group: 6:30hrs (Chaser)
Pace: 9:15min/km

Carmel Grashuis

I love helping the back-of-the-pack runners (who may be struggling) to finish their race. I’m their biggest cheer squad on course and love seeing the sense of achievement as they cross the line. Together with Pieta, we have paced many events and look forward to helping you at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon!

Pace Group: 6:30hrs (Chaser)
Pace: 9:15min/km

Peita Hillman

I really enjoy encouraging runners and walkers to achieve their event goals, keeping spirits high and providing plenty of fun on the day. Carmel and I are very experienced with cut off/gun time pacing and will look after everyone in our group.
I had such a great time at TWM24 half marathon, that I would love to return and tackle the challenge of the marathon. I look forward to the scenery, friendly people and a fun day outdoors!

 

ASICS Half Marathon Pacers

Pace Group: 1hrs 30min
Pace: 4:16min/km

Emmanuel Vergara

I love to represent the Toowoomba Road Runners and help get runners their PB at our scenic and hilly course.

 

Pace Group: 1hrs 30min
Pace: 4:16min/km

Sean Needham

After doing the full marathon last time and had a great time, I’ve decided to do the 1/2 this year and enjoy helping other runners hit their PB goals!

 

Pace Group: 1hrs 45min
Pace: 4:49min/km

Jeremy Cox

I really enjoyed packing last year and helping people reach their goals. It is great to see so many Toowoomba Road Runners helping each other out, helping runners make their times.

 

Pace Group: 1hrs 52min 30sec
Pace: 5:20min/km

Lou Brownlie

I thoroughly enjoyed pacing in the 2024 ASICS half marathon event last year! It is so rewarding to support others who are chasing their running goals.

 

 

Pace Group: 1hrs 52min 30sec
Pace: 5:20min/km

Yoland Willemse

I love the Toowoomba running community which includes our club, the Toowoomba Road Runners. I’d like to give back an experience to other runners what so many pacer runners in the past had given me. Using over 10 years running and racing experience, this will help me pace a consistent pace and kept the morale high.

Pace Group: 2hrs
Pace: 5:42min/km

Ricardo Nitschke

I love to motivate people to achieve their goal time! I am a member of the Toowoomba Road Runners, and am experienced over this course, finishing last year in 1:44.

 

Pace Group: 2hrs
Pace: 5:42min/km

Louise Macdonald

Running in Toowoomba is a love-hate relationship. The Toowoomba hills provide challenges but also amazing views. The Toowoomba Marathon takes participants to all of my favourite vantage points. I understand the complexities of pacing with the course elevation & have completed multiple practice runs of the full course in the required time prior.

Pace Group: 2hrs 15min
Pace: 6:24min/km

Craig Millikan

I’ve paced full/half/10km/5km and always enjoyed the experience. I’m an experienced pacer and repeat offender at pacing the Toowoomba half. I’ll keep you on track so you can hit your goals.

 

 

Pace Group: 2hrs 30min
Pace: 7:07min/km

Sarah McKibbin

As a dedicated member of the Toowoomba Road Runners since September 2019, I’ve experienced firsthand the transformative power of community support in achieving running goals. Having benefited from the mentorship of fellow TRR members who helped me achieve my sub-2 hour goal, I’m eager to pay this forward by supporting other runners in reaching their 2:30 half marathon targets. My personal progression through various pacing brackets, combined with my regular presence at club events, has equipped me with the practical experience and community understanding needed to be an effective and encouraging pacer.

 

Pace Group: 3hrs 45min (Chaser)
Pace: 10:40min/km

Deb Auchterlonie

I started running as I wanted to be fitter and healthier as I was approaching my 6th decade of being in this earth.  I volunteered to do chaser as I like the social side of running as well and this allowed me to encourage other runners to achieve their goal of completing a half marathon. I paced last year and really enjoyed the role. I’m looking forward to it again in 2025.

 

Pace Group: 3hrs 45min Pace: 10:40min/km

Shane Dicinoski

I’ve paced about 20 different marathons across Australia. Looking forward to making sure you achieve your goal of finishing the ASICS half marathon in 2025.