Nissan Supported Runners Programme – Creating a more Inclusive Future
Have you ever wanted to take part in a large running event but felt held back by an impairment? You’re not alone, and the Supported Runners Programme is here to tell you that you can do it.
Nissan’s collaboration with the Richard Whitehead Foundation, provides individuals with the support, encouragement and motivation to participate with the help of a Support Runner.
The programme is part of Nissan’s Possibilities Project, an initiative launched by Nissan with the goal of making excitement possible for all and delivering real impact to enrich people’s lives, creating a more inclusive future.
The Supported Runners Project is the first of its kind in the UK. Launching last year, the programme has been implemented at the AJ Bell Great Run Series and other mass participation events to support individuals with an impairment to take part.
The Supported Runners Project’s volunteers are seasoned runners trained to assist individuals on the day of the event, whether that be from pacing and hydration support to helping you navigate the start and finish areas. The Richard Whitehead foundation pairs runners with their guide and offers support and training before the event and beyond.
Partnering with the AJ Bell Great Run Series, this year Nissan and the Richard Whitehouse Foundation have been able to offer a select number of places for support runners, making the event more accessible for all.
We are incredibly excited that the Supported Runners Programme is helping individuals across the country this year by matching these people with support runners. We have runners with various disabilities taking part such as Julie McElroy, who was the first female frame runner in the UK to run in a marathon and was offered a place at the AJ Bell Great North Run by Nissan’s collaboration with Sported and the Richard Whitehead Foundation. Similarly, this year Anthony Bryan, who holds the world record for the fastest marathon by someone paralyzed down one side of their body, will be running in the AJ Bell Great South Run with a support runner.
The Supported Runners Programme aims to help more individuals like these achieve their goals.
If this sounds like something you’d like to hear more about as a runner or a support runner, please email us at supportedrunner@whitehead.foundation or visit the Richard Whitehead Foundation website here.
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