Members of the New Balance Pacing Team gather during the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Helping others achieve their dreams is one of life's great pleasures. So being a pacer at the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Oct. 9 presented a fantastic opportunity.

Duties started Friday at the Expo. Runners signed up at the New Balance Pacing Team booth for the time they wanted to run, got a bib with that number, and a wristband with all 26 mile splits on it.

More than 6,800 runners signed up to be paced, at times ranging from 3 hours to 5:45. On race day they put their time bibs on the backs of their shirts, their split bands on their wrists, and lined up with team leaders running that pace.

I could see the excitement and nervousness of the runners. Many were attempting their first marathon, others wanted to qualify for Boston. As I handed out bibs and wristbands, I saw the true beauty of the marathon and the marvelous human spirit it brings out.

Chicago was buzzing early Sunday. Runners, volunteers and spectators were everywhere. I was pacing the 3:30 runners, an 8:01- mile pace. Two other pacers, John and Ian, both from Chicago, would be running 3:30 too.

We had about 100 runners gathered around us in the starting area. We held up our little bib signs marked 3:30, signs we'd carry the entire race.

Finally the gun went off and our trek began. It felt different going slower than what I usually run in a race.

At 10 miles we were right on pace. The crowds were super enthusiastic. At halfway our runners were all still with us. Most were still doing fine at the infamous 20-mile mark, but my right arm was tired from carrying my pace sign.

I ran by one of my runners, Maria, at the 21 mark. She had told me before the race how much she wanted to break 3:30. I encouraged her to stay with us, but she couldn't. The marathon bonk ate her up.

The last three miles went straight into a headwind. We three pacers ran close together, creating a draft for those right behind us. I kept looking back to see who was still on pace.

Soon we climbed a hill, headed into Grant Park and crossed the finish line. Group members congratulated each other and consoled runners who'd missed their time. There is always another marathon.

I loved being a pacer and hope to do it again.

Olympic race-walker Gary Morgan, 46, of Clarkston, is no slouch as a runner either. He has posted running PRs of 2:35 for the marathon, 33:30 for 10K and 54:10 for 10 miles. MR