Pacers set the rhythm at Times Internet Half Marathon

At the Times Internet Half Marathon, the true momentum of the race wasn’t driven by speed alone, but by those who mastered control. Pacers- steady, disciplined, and focused- emerged as the silent architects of the course, guiding hundreds of runners toward their goals with precision.

In the 10K category, their impact was immediate. Groups of runners moved in sync, anchored by pacers like Sonu Kumar and Gaurav Kumar, who held strong, consistent rhythms and brought their groups home just under the one-hour mark. For many participants, this transformed the race from a test of pressure into one of clarity and confidence.

Jitendra Advani, with over a decade of running experience and a deep commitment to promoting fitness within the community, brought leadership and stability to the course. Alongside him, Payal Badlani maintained a well-balanced pace for the 70-minute group, helping runners stay composed and consistent throughout.

The same discipline carried into the 80 and 90-minute groups. Sunil Kumar Johri and Abhay Kohli ensured runners remained steady through the middle stretch, while Rita Basu and Shalu Dudeja guided participants to strong, controlled finishes. For Shalu, the journey held deeper meaning- from once beginning with recovery walks to now pacing others with over 100 podium finishes behind her.

The 21K told a story of endurance shaped by control. Vimal Bhatt and Sanjay Panghal set the tone early, maintaining a composed and steady rhythm around the two-hour mark. Pankaj Kumar Tiwari and Sankalp Kant led the 2:15 group with remarkable precision, moving in near-perfect sync throughout the race.

For the 2:30 group, Tauseef Shaikh and Deepak Gupta maintained a consistent pace across the distance, ensuring runners stayed focused through every phase. Utkarsh Himalaya, relatively new to running, turned disciplined effort into the confidence to take on a half marathon, finishing strong. Alongside him, Ruhi Singh’s journey - from personal progress to empowering communities of women runners across cities - added a powerful sense of purpose to the course.

As the race progressed and fatigue set in, pacers became more than just timekeepers. They became moving anchors-helping runners stay steady, remain focused, and push through the toughest stretches.

At the Times Internet Half Marathon, pacers did not run for recognition. Yet, in every runner who finished stronger, steadier, and closer to their goal, their impact was undeniable - making them the true backbone of the race.