About 8,600 women have signed up for Shape Run 2012 on July 15. The event, organised by Shape magazine, is open to women aged 16 years and above.

This time around, for the competitive 5km and 10km races, the Shape runners will receive motivation like never before. Male pacers will be joining them to set a constant pace and motivate Shape runners to meet their goal timings.

The 30 men, who will be placed in four pace groups, were chosen not only for their running abilities, but also their pin-up looks, reported The Straits Times.

Diva spoke to six of them to find out what keeps them in shape and what made them take on the role.

Name: Steven Tan Wee Lee
Age: 35
Marital status: Attached
Occupation: IT
Favourite activities: Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Running, Diving, Rollerblading, Cycling, Ice-Skating, Shuffling

1. How do you stay in shape?

I love outdoor activities. I exercise at least two to three times a week; usually with a run after office hours or on weekends, followed by shuffling and beach volleyball. I do not maintain any particular diet, but I balance out my diet with lots of vegetables and fruits daily. I also usually stick to three meals a day and do not snack often.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

I am most proud of my heart. When I'm involved in intensity sports, it's an amazing feeling to take my heart rate higher than my resting heartbeat rate. It makes me feel good during and after any exercise routine.

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I am honored to be part of the Shape Pacers group as it is not everyday where you get to run in a women's-only race. I look forward to train with the pacers, share my experience and tips with the Shape Run participants and motivate them along the way. I want to pace for Shape Run 2012 as it is something new for the participants; it's also a great accomplishment to be a male pacer pioneer for an all-female run. It will be a great learning experience to run with 8,500 ladies.

4. Any tips for runners?

Smile as you run. Smiling does take away the fatigue of the run. I am sure the photographers will be keeping a lookout for great smiling faces on that day, who doesn't like to look good in photos, right?

Another tip is, as with any other exercise, it is always good to start slow so as to condition your body first. A short distance of 1km may be a good start, and then slowly progress with longer distances. As time goes by, your stamina will increase.

Name: Ng Kang Jie Bervyn
Age: 19
Marital status: Single
Occupation: Leisure and Business Facilities Management student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Favourite activities: Swim, run, cycle and all sports

1. How do you stay in shape?

I love food, so I will just eat all I want on normal days. However, during competition months, I will cut down on oily food. If I have the time, I run almost every day for about an hour per session. Sometimes I also swim or cycle.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

Most probably my legs, because it's this very pair of legs that led me to do all the sports I love!

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I would like to help the ladies achieve their personal best race timing. I would also like to gain experience being a race pacer. I feel special and excited as we are the first male pacers to participate in a women-only event.

4. Any tips for runners?

Hydration is very important, so make sure to drink water before and during the race. Try to run at a constant pace, so that you can last throughout the whole run. Lastly, run with a positive mind set, it helps!

Name: Tan Peng Kiat, Calaeo
Age: 32
Marital status: Single
Occupation: Swim Coach
Favourite activities: Running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, sport climbing, motor-biking, reading

1. How do you stay in shape?

I am a pescetarian, so my diet includes fish and seafood, but no meat. My weekly exercise routine includes weights training, running and cycling.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

The brain and mind. Many times, it is the mind that pulls me through the toughest trainings and races, and tasks that I undertake.

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I think it's going to be fun. I also feel honoured and flattered to be in this group, because I think the selection process can be quite stringent.

4. Any tips for runners?

Pace yourself and find a comfortable rhythm. A good pace is when the heart rate, breathing and effort are at an optimal yet comfortable range.

Name: Foo Gen Lin
Age: 29
Martial status: Single
Occupation: Bone Doctor-in-Training
Favourite activities: Triathlon, Eating, Sleeping

1. How do you stay in shape?

Work permitting, I train almost everyday and on the rare occasion, twice a day. I alternate my running with cycling and swimming sessions to reduce the risk of injury, as well as to provide some variation in training. Diet-wise, I rarely watch what I eat as most of the calories is burned up during the training sessions.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

That would be my feet. Despite its central role in our mobility and daily functioning, they get little attention. For runners, we abuse it with the incessant pounding during our long runs and drown its cries in our soggy socks. Despite all the abuse, it carries on to endure all things day, in day out. Respect!

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I feel very privileged to be chosen amongst the many eligible bachelors, I mean, runners. We are lucky to be led by Andrew Cheong, who has a wealth of experience under his belt, and hopefully we will carry out our job of helping the ladies all achieve their personal goals for the race!

4. Any tips for runners?

Try not to start out too fast at the start and keep to your intended pace. If you are feeling strong, make a push for it towards the last few kilometers to clinch that personal best! Learn to reward yourself after a good workout, be it in the form of a gastronomic indulgence or pampering at the spa.

Name: Nicolas Renaud
Age: 41
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Software Consultant
Favourite activities: Regular sports activities, including running; traveling; meeting with friends

1. How do you stay in shape?

I just stay away from fat and sugar - I'm not attracted to it, so that helps too. I don't snack between meals (except fruits), and I make sure my meals are diverse and well balanced. I always end a meal with a couple spoons of plain yogurt, which helps with digestion. I go to the gym about four times a week, most of my activities there are group exercises such as BodyPump and BodyCombat. I also run about two to three times a week for an hour.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

People often asked me how I train my calves. I don't; I think I was born with well-defined calves!

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I feel privileged to be part of the group. I am looking forward to share my passion for running with the race participants. I hope this event will encourage more people to run and do regular exercise.

4. Any tips for runners?

For those who are just getting into running - you could be a real runner and but you wouldn't know until you really try. I only got into running three years ago and I was surprised I could rank within the top 1 per cent of the Standard Chartered semi-marathon after participating in my second 21km run.

Also, have a good night's sleep the night before the event, plan to get on site early to avoid the stress of being late, and start the race at a pace you think you can sustain all the way to the finish line. It is very rewarding to pass other runners who tend to slow down in the last few km of the race!

Name: Teshil Prashin Gangaram
Age: 24
Marital status: Single
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
Favourite activities: Mountaineering, hiking, rock climbing and robotics

1. How do you stay in shape?

Well, it depends how you define "in shape". If the definition is very lean, close to 0 per cent fat and six packs, I am not in shape at all. Hence, I just try my best to follow a healthy lifestyle as much as possible. I try to keep to regular meals with minimum snacking, and eat a lot of vegetable and fruits. I also drink milk to recover from training. Exercise-wise, I alternate long distance running with speed training and gym, so that I can develop the entire muscle group. Lately, I've picked up boxing, which focuses a lot on core strength.

2. Name a body part that you're most proud of.

You wouldn't want to know... Kidding, the body part would be my face.

3. Why do you want to pace for Shape Run 2012, and how do you feel being part of the Shape Pacers group?

I never did pacing for such big race before and I thought instead of concentrating on hitting my personal best, helping others to do so might be an enriching experience. I actually feel quite honoured to be part of this first pacers group and I know I have an important role in keeping the pace to enable the runners to hit their targeted timings.

4. Any tips for runners?

I enjoy scenic runs where the landscape just captivates me and keeps me running to see more of it. Eventually, you will hit this runner's high where you just continue running until it's too dark to see anything and you are forced to stop. You then look at your watch and realise you have clocked more than 90 minutes... Oh yes, the tip: Go for a scenic run!