FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2026
CARMEL, INDIANA – Bolt for the Heart announced today that Carmel Marathon Weekend on May 31, 2026 will become the first official marathon to implement Bolt for the Heart’s Rescue Ready Race™ program, a new endurance event preparedness model designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities for sudden cardiac arrest incidents during races.
“We take pride in making the Carmel Marathon the best experience possible, and the safety of our athletes, volunteers, and members of the community is always our top priority in that regard.” Says Jay Durba, Race Director at Carmel Marathon Weekend. “We’re proud to be the first marathon with the Rescue Ready Race distinction and to work with Zoll to make their world-class AEDs a part of our safety plan.”
Powered by ZOLL Medical Corporation, as part of its Anything Can Happen. Anyone Can Help. campaign, Rescue Ready Race™ helps endurance events proactively prepare for cardiac emergencies by implementing a structured safety model that includes strategic AED placement, trained response personnel, coordinated emergency communication systems, and continuous preparedness planning.
The Carmel Marathon Weekend marks the first marathon to formally adopt the Rescue Ready Race™ model, helping establish a new standard for race safety and emergency preparedness, the only marathon ever to have an AED at every single mile marker. Additionally, at a central location for spectators there will be CPR and AED demos and other ways to increase bystander confidence.
“All of us at Bolt for the Heart are so energized by this new level of proactive safety for all runners of the Carmel Marathon. Oftentimes, cardiac arrest occurs, undetected, and unannounced, and the best we can do is to be ultimately prepared for when this happens.” Stated Pierre Twer, Founder and President at Bolt for the Heart. “Trained volunteers are watching for runners at every mile marker, and immediate CPR and an AED application if needed, provide the best chance for survival for any victim. The chance of survival increases measurably when this is done, so we are honored to be a part of this planning process.”
As part of the Rescue Ready Race™ implementation at the Carmel Marathon Weekend:
- ZOLL AEDs will be strategically placed throughout the race course
- Clearly marked emergency response stations will be positioned along the route
- Trained volunteers and race personnel will be prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies
- Communication protocols will be established to improve emergency coordination during the event, empowering anyone to help in a crisis situation.
ZOLL Medical Corporation, a global leader in resuscitation technology including public access AEDs and emergency cardiac care solutions, is partnering with Bolt for the Heart to help bring the Rescue Ready Race™ initiative to endurance events nationwide.
“We believe that in a cardiac emergency, anyone can help in those first precious moments,” says Lori Peters, Associate Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at ZOLL. “The Rescue Ready Race initiative helps increase access to AEDs and empowers bystanders, whether other athletes or spectators, to act as an essential bridge to EMS through realtime audio and visual CPR and AED guidance, dramatically improving survival rates and building stronger communities”
Sudden cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and survival rates decline significantly with every minute that passes without defibrillation. Through Rescue Ready Race™, Bolt for the Heart aims to make race preparedness more proactive, organized, and scalable for events of all sizes.
The launch follows recent momentum for the initiative, including Bolt for the Heart’s partnership with the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, which was recently recognized as a Rescue Ready Race™ event.
“Our vision is simple,” said Arron Stanton, Marketing Director of Bolt for the Heart. “We want emergency preparedness at endurance events to become as expected as hydration stations and finish lines. Runners deserve to know race organizers are doing everything possible to protect them.”
In addition to AEDs at every mile marker, we are also very proud to support the 24/7 SaveStations that are being installed throughout Carmel and along the Carmel Marathon course. These permanent SaveStation enclosures will be a daily reminder that our community cares and wants you to be safe. Zoll and SaveStation are powering our Bolt Rescue ready runs.
Carmel Marathon Weekend will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Carmel, Indiana. The Rescue Ready Race™ initiative will continue to roll out across future half and full marathon events in Indiana and eventually across the nation.
About Bolt for the Heart
Founded in 2010, Bolt for the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public access to Automated External Defibrillators(AEDs) and educating communities on CPR and AED use. Through partnerships, community engagement, and its annual Thanksgiving race, Bolt for the Heart continues to expand lifesaving coverage across Indiana. To learn more about Bolt for the Heart and it’s mission, visit www.BoltfortheHeart.com
Media Contact:
Arron Stanton – Bolt for the Heart
Marketing Coordinator
p. 765-462-6777
e. arron@heartreachmedical.com
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