Massive JBL/Crown/BSS PA for Great North Run

Newcastle-based Nitelites have been supporting the BUPA Great North Run — the world’s biggest half-marathon — for around a decade. Staged between Newcastle and South Shields, this year was no exception. And although the event has regularly attracted over 50,000 runners, the production requirement has changed over the years, and the infrastructure grown accordingly.

“We started out in the early days supplying a 100V line public address communication system — but over the years it has evolved into a full fun-run event, and recently we have supplied a JBL VerTec line array,” says Nitelites director, Jamie Moore.

The infrastructure they supply includes full platforms, staging, mobile rigs and ground support for the start and finishing lines, with an interim point at 10km.

The specification for the 2009 event was again for VerTec, and with the runners lining up over a 1200 metre distance, trailing back from the start line, Nitelites occupied three key audio positions; six hangs of ten VerTec VT-4889’s were flown off the trucks to cover the throng of runners amassing at the start line, with two ground stacks of four VT-4889 full-range loudspeakers at the audience position, 200 metres the other side of the start line.

At the finish line on the coast in South Shields were two hangs of ten VT-4889s and at the ten mile point were four ground stacks, each with four VT-4889’s.

The start system takes broadcast splits and commentary, as well as the opening ceremony and official ‘start’ (performed by Sting). Local DJ’s and radio also participated while Roy Gayle delivered the customary pre-start fitness warm-up via a Crown headset CM-311A radio mic.

The entire system was driven by around 100 Crown ITech IT-8000 amplifiers, with eight amps assigned to each stack, utilising the new V4 DSP presets. At the same time six BSS London Soundweb Originals (SW-9088’s) provided a redundant link between each stack so that all the levels could be controlled from one central point.

Assisted by Sound Technology’s Dave Bradshaw, delay taps of up to 3 seconds were programmed into Soundweb to compensate for the 175-metre distance between hangs. “We used standard CAT5 cable so the signal could be transported up to 300m between units — but next year we will use fibre, Soundweb London BLU devices and System Architect to network all system components and enable fully remote system monitoring.

Nitelites enjoy a close co-operation with Liverpool-based Adlib Audio and with so much inventory required the two companies have traditionally pooled their resources.

“This is a massive operation which requires eight 17-tonners, eight 7.5-tonners, four 45-footers, two Sprinter vans and a cherry picker to carry all the production, including generators,” says Jamie.

“At South Shields we are able to pre-build this but in Newcastle the motorway is closed the night before and we don’t get access until 10pm Saturday night. We then work through the night so it is ready by the time the first runners line up around 7am-8am.” When it is all over, the system derigs in just two hours.

All the hard work for the 55-strong crew paid off again this year, and Nitelites’ clients were so delighted with the sound that they have already rebooked the company for next year. “VerTec is really coming into its own now, thanks to the latest v4 DSP presets, and always sounds great, straight out of the box, with very little EQ,” says Jamie.