On a recent Friday night, the Senayan district of Jakarta was unusually lively. Instead of shoppers filling the polished floors of a downtown mall, hundreds of runners gathered under the glow of high-rise lights.

They were members of Skolari, a grassroots running community that has become a hub for fitness enthusiasts in Indonesia’s capital.

The group not only organizes community runs but also teaches techniques that many recreational runners overlook, like “ankling,” a quick drill of running in place to strengthen the ankles, and planks to build core stability.

“Whoahhh,” shouted participants as they exhaled.

The runners also did plank exercises—holding the body in a straight line from head to toe supported by forearms and toes. Enthusiastically, they followed each move demonstrated by the instructor in front.

Occasionally, shouts filled the air, making the atmosphere even livelier. Among the participants was Bobby, 38, a deputy director and business partner at a private bank. He admitted that running had been his routine sport for several years.

“I first took up running for health reasons. But I’ve been working as a pacer for the past two years,” Bobby told SUAR during the session.

In running, a pacer—or pacemaker—acts as a rhythm keeper with specific targets. For example, if a runner aims to finish 10 km within a certain time, the pacer ensures they maintain a steady pace.

Pacers are usually recognizable by special signs such as balloons, boards, or shirts with their target time printed—like “SUB 65” for a 65-minute target.

“This is something you can pursue as a side job, not a main job,” Bobby told SUAR on Thursday night, July 24, 2025.

Attractive Earnings

Being a pacer today is not only a hobby, but also a way to earn extra income. With fees ranging from Rp500,000 to Rp2.5 million, pacers can now be considered one of the most rewarding side jobs.

Bobby admitted he once paced for a bank CEO from Singapore at a running event.

“The fee varies per event. For a single race, pacers are usually paid around Rp1.5 million,” he said.

With different motivations, Yanuar Mariansi, 37, has been part of Skolari for four years. He started running in 2018 as a hobby and for health reasons.

“My lifestyle used to be unhealthy, but now I’ve become consistent with exercise,” said Yanuar, who stood out in a bright yellow shirt.

As head of sales and marketing at a private company, Yanuar has also been pacing for events in the past two years, covering distances up to 21 km.

Yet he holds a different view about the fee. For him, pacing is purely a passion.

“Even though I hold a senior position at the office, when it comes to being a pacer, I don’t think about the fee at all,” Yanuar explained.

“Even though I hold a senior position at the office, when it comes to being a pacer, I don’t think about the fee at all,” Yanuar explained.

For him, being a pacer is more about recognition.

“Being a pacer gives you its own kind of insight. It makes it easier to be recognized by people. And, of course, those chosen to be pacers are not just anyone,” he said.

According to Yanuar, a pacer must have sufficient experience and mileage to guide runners to the finish line. “The pay can range from Rp1.5 million to Rp2.5 million per event.

But along with the attractive pay, it requires rigorous training and a certain selection process,” he added.

“They look at the person, their mileage, and whether their profile fits the event. The qualifications are quite comprehensive,” Yanuar explained.

Another pacer, Wulan (who preferred to use only one name), said pacing brought many benefits. Besides the financial rewards, it also opened opportunities to build connections.

“Alhamdulillah, since becoming a pacer, I’ve gained so many benefits. For example, every week I get to pace for community runs,” said Wulan, who works as an officer at a well-known beauty clinic in Indonesia.

Wulan started pacing in 2023. Asked about her fee, she admitted it wasn’t much but still helpful.

“For small events, the maximum is usually around Rp500,000,” she said.

“But if it can add something extra, why not? Being a pacer also means I can get a little pocket money on the side,” she added with a smile.