Multi column list covering multiple pages

I need to make a two column list of people in a report where:

1) the people are sorted by name in column 1 first then in column 2

2) the list spans multiple pages

I've been able to make the list with the names sorted but the first name is in column 1 and the second is in column 2, etc.

When I change the report to list the names in column 1 first then column 2 there is nothing in column 2 because the section grows and a 5 page report (with 2 columns) becomes a 10 page report (with 1 column).

thanks for your help.