(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Akron resident Sandra Wessel volunteers to be a pacer for runners who want to hit the 3-hour mark during the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon on Saturday.

WHEELING – Sandra Wessel of Akron has raced in the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic several times, but this year she decided to lend a hand to her fellow runners.

She volunteered to be a pacer for the three-hour mark. This means runners who stay near her during the race can expect to finish around that time.

“A pacer helps people reach a goal time,” she said, adding the pacer also helps people find restrooms, water stations and other aspects of the race.

“We keep the energy high for them,” she noted.

Wessel said she has run the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic “four or five times,” and she finds having a pacer or partner to run with is helpful.

“They help you get through the miles. And 29th Street Hill absolutely destroys you so we’re here to cheer you on,” she added.