ZM’s Drive show hosts Jase Hawkins and PJ Harding are embarking on the 51 hour on-air marathon on ZM starting at 3pm this Wednesday, April 22, with the hope to go all the way through until 6pm Friday, April 24. The pair will use the marathon to raise money for the Pin a Poppy appeal.
 
The rules are simple ­ No stopping, no sleeping and they will talk after every two to four songs to guarantee no cheating.

Content Director for ZM, Sarah Gandy says, “ZM has done a lot of crazy broadcasts in the past but this is definitely at the next level. We¹ve had to put checks in place to make sure they stick to broadcasting standards but the reality is anything could happen in those 51 hours.”

Jase says, “This is a perfect example of why I shouldn¹t pitch stupid ideas in our show meetings. I apologise to New Zealand in advance for anything I may say during the 51 hours. I have a tendency to forget the microphone is live after the three hour mark.”

PJ says, “I¹m an eight hours of sleep a night kind of girl, so this is going to be crazy and I reckon there¹s going to be many awkward moments but I love the fact that we¹re helping a good cause.”

With Anzac Day looming, Jase and PJ will encourage ZM listeners to Pin a Poppy throughout the broadcast by donating online or via text to receive a virtual poppy to share via social media, with proceeds going to the RSA Poppy Appeal.

A team of people will be on hand at all times to help Jase and PJ and find fun new ways to keep them awake! And a medical professional will monitor their wellbeing onsite during the duration of the broadcast.

The ZM team believe the mammoth 51 hour on-air marathon will be the longest broadcast in New Zealand radio history. The Guinness World Record for the longest radio broadcast is 84 hours and 15 minutes achieved by a radio station in Dubai.

ZM¹s attempt will be broadcast on the ZM network with a live video stream here for the duration of the 51 hours on-air.