It was a sturdy assignment, but proved invigorating for both our clubmates.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," said Bill, who regularly finishes half-marathons in the low 1:20's. "The appeal for me was it was a different experience as a runner. I've competed in just about every distance, but I've never been a pacer. I always like new running experiences. I looked at it as my normal Sunday run at just about my normal Sunday pace. It was nice to just be running and not worrying about a finishing time... it was what I would call a chit-chatty run."

With the elite marathon pace, Bruce and Bill each ran a half-marathon, Bill passing the pace flag to Bruce at the halfway mark.

"Chris Twiggs (who was an integral part of the race planning) put a call out to find pacers for the 3:10 or 4:15 group," said Bruce, who qualified last year for the 2008 Boston Marathon. "Since 3:10 is five minutes faster than my best marathon, and way beyond my abilities at this point in my Boston ramp-up, I told him I would do the 3:10 if I could split it with someone. Bill Beaumont stepped up to the plate."

In recalling that conversation, Bill said laughingly, "Yeah, Bruce called and said, 'Boy do I have a deal for you.'''

The electric atmosphere surrounding the first-time event made it a special day. Both athletes lauded the support along the route, and the professional treatment from race organizers. About 8,000 people ran in the inaugural half and full marathon through the Jacksonville beaches, helping to raise approximately $800,000 to battle breast cancer.

"We were both amazed at how well-organized the athlete village was for a first-time event," Bruce said. "We parked at UNF and then got right on a bus to the starting line. I waited in the VIP area while Bill took off with the group." Bill added that the crowd support was “phenomenal."

But the most lasting memory, or at least the most savory, was the post-race delights that awaited our AIR pacers. No shriveled carrots on the menu for these Rusty’s.

Bill explains, "I reached Bruce at 13 miles, and a squad car was waiting to take me back to the finish line. My part was finished. The policeman stopped at a pizza place and I had a couple of slices in the car on the way back to the finish line. I thought that was going to be my lunch. Boy, was I wrong.

“They had filet mignon from Ruth’s Chris waiting for me. I had a steak, crab and some sweet potato pie... beat the heck out of my normal Cliff Bar. If they treat me like that as a volunteer, I won't ever compete again."

While our duo were able to maintain their assigned pace, the trailing greyhounds, huh, runners were not so fortunate. At the starting line, Bill estimated that he had 40-45 people lined up in his 7:14-per-mile club. But by the time he reached his teammate at 13.1 miles, only two of his competitors remained.

With his 3:10 pace flag held proudly in hand to showcase the No. 1 pacer group, Bruce forged ahead with the two troupers in tow. At mile 17 another one dropped back, but the lone remaining runner charged ahead near the end to actually finish under the pace time....the group winner, by more than a nose.

"My job as a pacer was to run steady miles, but once we got to about 24 miles, my guy was on pace and felt he had more to give, so I told him to go for it," Bruce said.

Once alone, Bruce kept near pace, earning an unofficial 3-hour, 11-minute team finish. It was a 1-hour, 33-minute half-marathon for Bruce's portion. "Given the heat (in the 70s), I'm happy with that," he said.

And, the first 26.2 With Donna was happy that two of Amelia's elites gave their time and energy to charity