Great North Run to feature pacemakers for the first time thanks to Duracell

Duracell and the Great Run Series have announced that the Great North Run will feature pacemakers for the first time ever when the runners take to the streets of Tyneside on Sunday 11^th September. The innovation in the race is designed to help runners of any ability pace their race safely and successfully.

Founded in 1981, this is the first year that the Great North Run will feature pacemakers. Duracell has worked with the Great Run Series to recruit 50 experienced runners who will serve as pacemakers for the huge numbers of runners taking part. The pacers will be the running embodiment of the Duracell Bunny, helping and encouraging runners to run for longer as they take on the half marathon.

To mark this historic moment, the first pacer to cross the line will be Ryan McLeod, the son of Mike McLeod – the first ever winner of the Great North Run. Ryan McLeod, who has competed for Team GB at the European and World Cross Country Championships and is the 2015 British Half Marathon Champion, will lead the Duracell Bunny pacers over the line 35 years after his father won the first two races in 1981 and 82 respectively.

The pacemakers in the Great North Run will be kitted out as the Duracell Running Bunny, as part of the Series sponsor’s campaign to help runners unlock their power within and go for longer. The Duracell Bunny Pacers have already featured in previous races of the 2016 Great Run Series, and now the runners of the Great North Run will get to experience just how important a pacemaker can be.

Brendan Foster, former Olympic Bronze medallist and founder of the Great North Run said: “The Great North Run is the world’s biggest half marathon and has huge numbers of supporters on the route. In events like this it’s easy to get a little over ambitious and set off too quickly.

The introduction of pacers by Duracell will be of real benefit to runners who are looking for a time and will be an excellent addition to the day”

Ryan McLeod comments: “It’s a great honour to be the first ever pacemaker at the Great North Run. This race has a special place for my family. My dad was the first ever winner in 1981, and I was delighted to win the Great North 10k last year. I’m really looking forward to becoming a Duracell Bunny myself and helping other runners to keep going and hopefully achieve their own ambitions in the race.”

Alex Haslam, Duracell UK marketing manager said: “With our partnership with the Great Run Series we have been proud to play an active role in helping runners all over the UK unlock their own power and improve their performance. Duracell lasts longer than the competition and we’ve been helping the runners of the UK last for longer throughout the Great Run Series. By bringing our iconic mascot, the Duracell Bunny, to the race in the form of the Duracell Bunny pacers, we’ve been able to help runners in a way that fits perfectly with what we believe in as a brand.”

As well as providing the pacers to help runners maximise their own performance, Duracell is helping runners of the Great North get the ultimate motivation. The Great North Run will feature the debut of the ‘Duracell Power Zone’. Located at Mile 10, one of the toughest stretches of the Great North Run, the Power Zone is designed to give runners a boost just when they may be struggling to keep going. Featuring music, cheering fans and a big screen displaying messages of support for runners and their image as they go by, the Power Zone is set to provide the ultimate boost. Duracell will also be helping spectators cheer on their friends and family using the Duracell #PowerBoards. These customisable boards will allow fans to write their own personalised messages for runners as they go past.