Melikhaya Frans says pace setting has become a rewarding career in athletics

The 36-year-old Gqeberha athlete, coached by former South African Coach of the Year Mike Mbambane, has worked as a pacer for some of the country's biggest names, including three-time Comrades Marathon champion Tete Dijana and three-time Cape Town Marathon winner Stephen Mokoka.

This year, Frans was appointed as the official women's pacer at the Absa Run Your City 10km races in Gqeberha and Durban.

Although the women's field narrowly missed the sub-30-minute target in Durban, Frans believes pace setters continue to play a vital role in helping elite athletes run faster times and challenge records.

Speaking to SABC Sport after his latest pacing assignment, Frans said the job requires discipline, consistency and complete focus.

"Being a pacer, you have to stay focused and be consistent. I paced Stephen Mokoka and Tete Dijana during the 50km race and helped them break the world record. This year I paced the women's race in Gqeberha and again in Durban, where the goal was to help them run under 30 minutes. We didn't achieve it, but I gave it everything I had," said Frans.

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Frans believes South African runners are benefiting from the growing use of pace setters, with more athletes now breaking the 31-minute barrier over 10km.

"I'm happy because many South African runners are now running under 31 minutes. Pacers are helping athletes improve, and I believe it's only a matter of time before more local runners go under 30 minutes," he said.

He also addressed the debate around pacers who continue racing instead of stepping aside, saying they should not be allowed to win elite races.

"It would be wrong for a pacer to stay in the race and win, especially in the men's competition. That would be unfair to the athletes who came to compete. A pacer's job is to help others, not to take the victory," he explained.