Great North Run To Feature Duracell Pacemakers
Duracell and the Great Run Series have announced that the Great North Run will feature pacemakers for the first time when the runners take to the streets of Tyneside on Sunday 11th September.
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, 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 1982 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 feature in the Great North Run.
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.”
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 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.
