Despite quickly advancing medical technology, the 'pace' [=(more commonly) 'rate'] of change in her field remained slow and steady.
The winner finished in 4 minutes, 30 seconds, and the next runner was three seconds 'off the pace'. [=finished three seconds later]
The law has not 'kept pace with' technology. [=the law has not changed fast enough to reflect changes in technology]
(..) What is it? What do you smell? Man-flesh. Aragorn. They've picked up our trail. Let's move! Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry! Come on, Gimli! Three days and nights pursuit. No food. No rest. (..)2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers