Hello runner friends!Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness SeriesMIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Happy Global Running Day!! Now let's get started by talking about a group of runners who you might not even know existed but are getting trained up and ready to help get you to the finish line of the Bass Pro Marathon or Half this November. The Bass Pro Pacing Team is a group of individuals who love helping others fulfill their running dreams. They're encouraging. They’re fun. But, most importantly, they’re ready to get you from the start line to the finish line in the time you want to get there, with a smile on your face even! They really can make your 13.1 or 26.2 mile race more fun than you could ever imagine! So say hello to some of this amazing group (who will tell you why they enjoy pacing so much) and make plans to join them in the fall (and make plans to party like a runner with us tonight at the Fleet Feet Event). You’ll be so glad you did! You might even spot some of the world-famous BP Pacers there!
So without further ado and in no particular order, here are your 2025 Bass Pro Marathon/Half pacers:
I have been pacing half marathons since 2014. I enjoy pacing because I get the chance to help fellow runners meet their goals. I'll be pacing the 2-hour half.
I'm so excited to be pacing the 2:45 half-marathon this year with Charlie Hungerford! I have met some of the kindest and friendliest people through running, and I'm so grateful to be a part of our awesome running community. I look forward to helping others reach their goals this year!
Meet Brad Heath & Amanda Doty your dynamic duo for the 2:30 Cohick half marathon pace group! With years of running experience, and a deep passion for the running community, they’re here to cheer you on every step of the way and help you cross that finish line strong. These two have been running together for several years, splitting their weekends between Saturday road runs with Newman‘s coffee crew and Sunday trail miles with Dirt Church. Collectively, they’ve completed 15 half marathons, and while this is Amanda‘s first time pacing, Brad is a seasoned pacer, having led multiple half marathons and the full Bass Pro marathon. We are excited to support fellow runners throughout the race so expect steady pacing, encouragement, and a great time from start to finish! 2:30 let’s do this!
Hello my name is Weston McConnell and it’s my 6th year pacing Bass Pro Conservation Marathon. Bass Pro was my first marathon 11 years ago and this race changed the course of my running experience. I did t grow up a runner and actually quit soccer in high school because I hated running so much. I moved back to Missouri in 2014 and it was a difficult transition. I had a hard time connecting with people and finding a social network as an adult. My mother was training with a friend for the Bass Pro Cohick Half marathon. Not to be outdone by my mother, I joined them for group training runs and entered the race. That first year catapulted me onto new adventures, a wonderful social network and greater level of fitness enjoyment. I look forward every November when I can give back to a community that has given me so much. See ya out there!
Hello, I’m Duane Hamilton and am thrilled to be part of the Bass Pro Marathon Pacer Team. This is my first time as a pacer for a race and will be pacing the 4:15 marathon. Like many others out there, I despised running in PE as a kid, but now go for a run every chance I get. This is a journey and each one of us are out doing great things, including taking on marathons. I’m excited to help encourage other runners along their journey and can’t wait for the big day! It was fellow pacers that helped me through my first half and later full marathon and I’m forever grateful for their support. Looking forward to helping fellow runners achieve greatness while making memories along the way; we got this!
I love running and this will be my 5th marathon. I run to encourage my special needs son that he too can do hard things. I loved running the race in 2024 and can’t wait to do it again. I am passionate about encouraging others and look forward to cheering on the 5:15 marathon runners as we go along this beautiful course together! - Chayli
I’m pacing the 2:00 half marathon. This will be my 5th year pacing and I absolutely love helping to motivate new and old runners to reach their goals! I know I’m not alone when I say the mind wanders in a million directions during a run, so it’s nice to be surrounded by those with similar goals to help you sort through some of the more challenging thoughts and emotions, and ultimately cross that finish line! - Jaunine Marie
We have both led the Nixa Running Group for 15+ years encouraging hundreds of runners to accomplish goals they never thought were possible. We bring that energy and encouragement to pacing as well and are grateful for the opportunity. - Chris and Shannon Cochran, pacing the 5:00 marathon group.
I'm Paul Vining, pacing the 5:15 Bass Pro Marathon. I love pacing to help others accomplish their goals and have an enjoyable run. I love seeing others complete their first marathon. I've been running marathons since 2019 and have run four of the majors so far. I try to talk the whole way to pass the time and the miles with a smile on my face.
I began my running journey two years ago and have since completed several marathons and ultra marathons. As a pacer for the 4-hour group, my pacing style is smile-smile-smile, run-run-run, ensuring a steady and consistent happy pace to help you reach your marathon goals. It is an honor and privilege to serve all the runners who want to test themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually. - Kyle Stockton
I'm passionate about helping runners meet their goals and crossing the finish line! - Adam Irvin
Erika started running in 2014, gradually building her endurance with each passing year. For a long time, her longest distance topped out at 22 miles—until October 9, 2021, when she crossed the finish line of her very first official marathon. That milestone opened the door to something even bigger: the world of ultra running. Since then, Erika has fully embraced the long-distance lifestyle. She’s run more than 75 marathons, countless half marathons, a variety of 50K trail races, and four 50-milers on Arkansas’s OT50 trail. She currently holds the course record for the Sunset Endurance 12-Hour Run and spends nearly every weekend running a marathon or longer. But what drives Erika isn’t just personal achievement—it’s the joy of helping others. She loves pacing runners toward their goals, finding deep satisfaction in seeing someone else hit a PR or cross a distance they never thought possible. She’s competitive only with herself, which makes her a natural encourager on the course, always ready to lend a hand, a word of support, or a steady pace. Erika is deeply rooted in her local running scene. She serves on the boards of the Conway Running Club and River Valley Runners, and she’s an active member of the Arkansas Ultra Running Association. She also proudly runs for Blue Rose Running Co. out of Central Arkansas. For Erika, running is peace, purpose, and pure joy. And whether she's racing, pacing, or cheering from the sidelines, one thing is certain—she loves to run. #Love2Run
Hi I'm Janet, I've been fortunate enough to run 5 marathons and many half marathons. I consider running a blessing and a joy. I am very excited to be a pacer for the Bass Pro half marathon 2:45 pace group. We'll be having fun as we run together as a group and meet our goals. - Janet Clements
I am one of the pacers for the 6:00 time slot at Bass Pro Marathon this year. I have run over 20 marathons and paced Bass Pro at least 5 previous times. It is fulfilling to me to help runners achieve a goal. Having run with pacer groups many times myself, I understand how helpful they can be. I want to help runners enjoy the experience and accomplish something that they desire. - Kathy Carroll
Charlie Hungerford, Pacing 2:45 for the Cohick Half Marathon. I’ve been running for about 13-14 years and really enjoy the opportunity to give back by helping other runners achieve goals in their distance and time.
I'm Larry Sharp (better known as "Sweet Larry" or Melissa's husband). I'll be pacing the 3 hour half marathon group. I've run several marathons and lots of half marathons and I love running. But I love helping other people make it to the finish line even more. Join my group if you want to have a great time and hear some Dad jokes!
And last but not least, yours truly (Melissa Sharp) and Jody Rhodes (to my right)…..
Jody and I are once again pacing the Bass Pro 5:30 Marathon group and we couldn’t be more excited!!! Helping runners get to the finish line with a smile on their faces is something we love doing! Bass Pro is hands down our favorite marathon and we hope it will be yours too!! I can’t promise that completing 26.2 miles will be easy, but I can promise you that Jody and I will do our best to make you laugh along the way and have a good time. Jody and I are happiest when we're running and it shows!!
So there you have it friends. Bass Pro Pacers are famous for a reason! They love getting you to the finish line… on time… every time. And also want you to leave the racecourse with some great memories. And best yet, they will help you run a consistent pace throughout the entire race which is of great benefit to all runners, but especially to first-timers. So determine your goal time for the half or the full marathon and then line up behind the person whose job it is to get you there. You’ll be so glad you did!
Happy Running!
Great looking group, glad to be in it :)
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