Samuel Mwangi-Gichochi traveled thousands of miles from Kenya to run at the front of the Honolulu Marathon — and has no intention of winning the race.

He may even drop out at some point after holding on to the lead, but will know he has done a good job if the course record falls on Sunday.

As the general public struggles to wrap its mind around why anyone would run 26.2 miles, marathon pacesetters like Mwangi are perhaps the unreasonable and illogical. Otherwise known as "rabbits" for their ability to take off with everybody else chasing, pacesetters go out and set a sub-5 minute pace to ensure marathon contenders win the race and turn in record-setting times.

"My responsibility is to set a high pace so they can break the record," Mwangi said. "I have to keep on pushing, try to control the pace, and help them make the course record."

Some pacesetters set the tone for 13 miles, then drop out to let the contenders take over. Others go for about 20 before dropping out or letting the elite field pass. Some finish and even win the race. Last year, women's runner-up Kaori Yoshida was a pacesetter for the women's field.

"Isn't it a strange thing if you're a member of the general public, you would say why would someone enter a competition with no intention of trying to win," said David Monti, editor and publisher of Race Results Weekly, who is here to report on his seventh marathon. "That's what a pacesetter does. Their job is to relax the minds of the contenders in the race so that they can focus completely on just how their body is feeling, how they're reacting.

"Essentially, for as long as pacemakers (go), the contenders can shut their minds off and go into waiting mode until pacemakers decide they're done."

Pacesetters do everything from setting the pace to shielding runners from the wind. They strategize before and during the race, especially if they compete for the same team or manager. Like the contenders in the elite field of the marathon, pacesetters also receive an appearance fee. Most major marathons have pacesetters except for the Olympics, World Championships, Boston and New York.

"Race organizers and fans typically want to see faster times because they feel that constitutes a more honest race, a more honest product," Monti said.

MISSING OUT ON RECORD

Jimmy Muindi was a pacesetter once for the Honolulu Marathon in the early '90's before winning six since 1999. He set the course record of 2 hours, 11 minutes, 12 seconds in 2004 and was less than a minute off that mark in 2005.

"The weather was very good but missing the pacemakers was a big deal," Muindi said of his 2005 win where he ran the last 14 miles alone. "I could've broken the record again. Pacemakers are very, very good people if you use them well."

Mwangi and Muindi have the same manager and Mwangi was brought in to set the pace last year for Muindi. Muindi wasn't feeling well during last year's race, but Mwangi kept pushing, leading with eventual winner Patrick Ivuti through 16 miles. Ivuti won in 2:14:35.

"Unfortunately, he was not in top form so I had to push for Patrick Ivuti," Mwangi said.

HUGE IMPACT ON RACE

Pacesetters can also derail a race. Those who go too slow lull contenders into a similar pace. Some drop out before they're supposed to and some run away from the field.

Monti noted the 1994 Los Angeles Marathon where Paul Pilkington was hired to be a pacesetter. The field was told he'd drop out at some point and the field thought he'd done so when they lost sight of him. Instead, Pilkington took off and won.

"When pacemakers retire at whatever time there might be, there tends to be a small snag. It's like the engine came off the train and the train cars don't know what to do," Monti said. "There's a period of uncertainty. Patrick Ivuti waited and when the pacemakers left, he rocketed ahead and the race was over."

IMPROVING IN LONG RUN

Pacesetters are typically younger runners who have turned in good half-marathon times and their ability to tackle a shorter course at a faster pace is crucial to breaking records. Monti said they're looking to improve their value to event organizers, managers and teammates. The better the races they get into, the more money they'll earn. More experience can lead to a career of marathon running.

Mwangi, 26, did a 59:55 at a half-marathon in Berlin in May. He said he wants to build his speed and strength to the point where he is able to compete well in marathons. He finished eighth here last year and said his performance led to another invitation.

"I'll try to have them break the course record," Mwangi said of Sunday's race. "Last year, we had good movement, but unfortunately the weather was not (favorable) so we were not able to break the course record."