Whether you’re taking part in the London Marathon (and if you are, well done you – and best of luck!), there to cheer on the runners, or aren’t attending the day but have an interest in running, you won’t want to miss the fantastic Virgin Money London Marathon Expo at ExCeL. This takes place on the days leading up to the BIG DAY - Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 April - so if you’re into your running, you’ve got 4 days to get your trainers on and get down there. Plus, we’ll be there with the fantastic Zero Runner, a machine you simply have to try. [caption id="attachment_525" align="alignleft" width="230"]Carrie Tollefson Zero Runner US Olympian Carrie Tollefson on the Zero Runner[/caption] We’re so excited to be at the exhibition with Octane Fitness and the incredible Zero Runner. If you’re not yet familiar with it, this is a zero impact running machine. In a nutshell, it offers all the same benefits of running outside – but totally eliminates the harmful impact on the joints. So you can see why we can’t wait to put this in front of marathon and long distance runners! The Zero Runner has already had an incredible impact across the pond in the US. Olympian and national running champ Carrie Tollefson is a total convert as it’s helped eliminate injury that formally plagued her running career and it got rave reviews at the Boston Marathon. Watch the video below, taken at the Boston Marathon to see the feedback… [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfSaKz10g0w&w=560&h=315] We were also thrilled to receive a great reception at this year’s Run Expo. Here’s a quick video taken from the show, showing a keen running enthusiast trying it out with our Manchester store manager and adviser Lee. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9htsmeYAzs&w=560&h=315] So how does the Zero Runner work? Octane Fitness did their research. They knew that injury is a massive issue for runners. In fact, research estimates that approximately 74% of runners suffer a moderate or severe injury each year and some estimates say that 82% of runners will get injured at some point in their running career. The Zero Runner was developed to transform the way runners run. With innovative mechanical hip and knee joints on independent pedals, the machine lets you use your natural running gait and pace, all while being supported, so that there is no impact on your body. Unlike treadmills and ellipticals, what sets the Zero Runner apart is that it features a patented design that gives you custom motion. There’s no moving belt or fixed path, so you create the movement and pace, so it’s uniquely yours. With impact eliminated on the Zero Runner, you can safely supplement your outdoor running or treadmill training. Maybe you want to continue to train on rest days, or aren’t able to run due to prior injury? Now you can get going without potentially damaging consequences. Marathon and half-marathon prep By supplementing miles run outside with training on the Zero Runner, you can decrease repetitive stress caused by impact running. Training on the Zero Runner uses the same stride and muscles as runners use outside, so miles can be added without the risk of overuse or fear of not obtaining the same results. An added benefit is the decrease in fatigue. When fatigue sets in on longer runs, poor form often results, which increases impact and stress – so now longer runs can combine miles outside with Zero workouts to maximize stamina, maintain form and reduce injury-causing impact. As a result, this revolutionary machine keeps people running longer and therefore expands a runner’s longevity and career. Want to try the Zero Runner? Come and visit us on stand 340 at the London Marathon Exhibition from Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 April. If you can’t make the exhibition but want to try out the Zero Runner, we have a selection available for demonstration at 7 of our UK stores including Leeds, Manchester, Chelmsford, Tunbridge Wells, Frimley, Gloucester and at our largest showroom in Northampton. Please call us on 01604 673000 to arrange a demo. Read more about the Zero Runner.