GWM has wrapped up its involvement in City2Surf 2026 by awarding not one but two inaugural “Funnest Runner” titles, as the Chinese brand leaned into its “Live a Little mORA” platform in front of one of the world’s largest fun-run crowds.
A Pace Car With a Point to Prove
The all-electric GWM ORA 5 SUV served as the official pace car for the 14-kilometre Sydney event, running the entire course on battery power. GWM notes the ORA 5 carries a WLTP-rated range of 435 kilometres, enough (on paper), to cover the City2Surf route more than 31 times on a single charge.
It is a straightforward way to demonstrate real-world EV range in a public setting, and a 14-kilometre urban run is about as undemanding a test as you can find. Still, the visibility is the point: tens of thousands of participants and spectators make City2Surf a useful stage for a brand still building recognition in the New Zealand and Australian markets.
Comedy, Smiling, and the Science of Running
GWM stationed comedian Bec Charlwood on the course to engage runners and, as the brand puts it, help them tap into the power of positivity. The reasoning offered is that smiling has been shown to improve running performance, a claim with some basis in sports science research, even if the marketing framing leans into it enthusiastically.
Official “Funnest Runner” spotters tracked the field throughout the day, identifying contenders who best embodied the brand’s spirit. The search was not for the fastest finishers but for those who brought the most energy and personality to the course, a deliberate contrast to conventional race sponsorship.
Two Winners Share the Inaugural Title
At the GWM ORA podium stand at Bondi Beach, the brand announced that Melissa Thorn and Ertaza Arif would share the inaugural 2026 GWM Funnest Runner award. The pair were judged too close to separate, so both took home the title.
The live podium presentation at the finish area gave the activation a tangible conclusion rather than leaving it as a purely digital campaign moment. For a brand still establishing itself in a competitive SUV segment, that kind of on-the-ground presence alongside a high-attendance event carries practical value.
Why This Matters for GWM
GWM’s role as Major Automotive Partner of City2Surf reflects a broader push to connect the ORA 5 (and the wider GWM lineup) with active, lifestyle-oriented audiences. The “Live a Little mORA” platform is clearly designed to soften the brand’s image and move it away from purely specification-led messaging.
Whether that positioning sticks will depend on the product itself. The ORA 5 SUV is the centrepiece here, and events like this are most effective when the car can back up the personality on display. For now, GWM has at least ensured that two runners will remember the brand fondly, and that Bondi Beach saw an electric SUV leading the way.
