We were at the first National Running Show at the NEC at the weekend. It was an impressive event, which looks set to grow and grow. Here’s a few highlights from the show.
Dame Kelly Holmes opens the show and the Treadmill Challenge from Saucony
The show was opened by running legend Dame Kelly Holmes, who then went on to head up a stellar line-up of speakers on the Main Stage. This included Olympic athletes Jenny Meadows, Jo Pavey and Wendy Sly, nutritionist Anita Bean, marathon runner Steve Edwards, endurance adventurer Luke Tyburski and ultra runner Susie Chan.
Also on the opening day Run Mummy Run launched their new book. ‘Run Mummy Run: Inspiring Women to be Fit, Healthy and Happy’ and was welcomed by a huge gathering of the Run Mummy Run community (now almost 55,000-strong on Facebook, and certain to rise after this weekend) who had come to support and meet like-minded women. The Run Mummy Run stand was also non-stop, with three exclusive show items on sale and bucket-loads of inspiration and chat for female runners of all abilities.
Another exciting launch on Day 1 was The Running Festival at Goodwood from UK Run Events, set to become one of the most iconic events in the sporting calendar. With a 10K and a Half Marathon on offer, as well as an event for young runners soon to be announced, this will be the first ever running festival at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit in the heart of West Sussex and a magnificent celebration of running for runners of all ages and abilities.
L-R Jenny Meadows, Jo Pavey, Wendy Sly and chairs Susie Chan and Russell Smith
As well as a vast array of fantastic brands, all show sponsors reported superb crowd participation in each of their specialist areas, from 3D Gait Analysis hosted by Run3D to The Run Clinic by Go Run Right, The Treadmill Challenge by Saucony, The Treatment Room by Sports Injury Fix, the Nutrition Advice Zone by The Sports Dietitian at Diet 360 and The Run Café sponsored by Get Event Fit.
Day two dawned and snow fell at the NEC! It didn’t deter the crowds though and the 3D Gait Analysis from Run3D were booked out back-to-back both days.
Once again the Main Stage was a huge attraction with a fantastic line-up of speakers sharing their running stories. Susie Chan and Russell Smith chaired a packed schedule of talks from adventurers and endurance runners including Sean Conway, Jamie Ramsay, Anna McNuff, Elise Downing, Lisa Jackson, Anita Bean, Ira Rainey, Danny Bent, Jenny Tough, ‘Barefoot’ Aleks Kashefi, Dan Keeley and Ben Smith. This included a superb Adventure Panel with Russell, Susie, Sean, Ira, Anna, Elise and Jenny, who discussed top training and safety tips with a captivated audience.
L-R Russell Smith, Susie Chan, Sean Conway, Ira Rainey, Anna McNuff, Jenny Tough and Elise Downing
Many speakers from both days took part in the free Ask the Experts sessions – a fantastic chance for runners to meet their running heroes and ask all their running-related questions. Adventurer Anna McNuff followed up her session with a book signing for The Pants of Perspective, as did veteran runner Lisa Jackson with her book Your Pace or Mine.
For race organisers and sports retailers to sports brands, nutrition experts, official sporting bodies and communities, The National Running Show 2018 proved to be an incredibly successful platform with extremely positive feedback from all involved.
It really proved to be the right time to host a show for the nation’s runners, who had clearly come to make their race, training, brand and nutrition choices for the year ahead. Retailers sold unprecedented amounts of stock and race organisers enjoyed a huge uptake pre-race season.
Mike Seaman, Director of Raccoon Events, commented: “Day 2 at The National Running Show has topped off a wonderful weekend for our very first show, attracting anyone with an interest in running and any business related to running. The atmosphere has been amazing and it has been brilliant to gather everyone under one roof here at the NEC. We’re already looking ahead to what we can do to make The National Running Show 2019 even bigger and better, and would like to thank all our exhibitors, sponsors and partners for helping to make the 2018 event the great success it has been.
“A big thank you also goes to all the runners and visitors who have attended and supported our inaugural show, we are looking forward to seeing you all again in 2019!”
The inaugural National Running Show took place at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st January, 2018. The date for The National Running Show 2019 has been confirmed as Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th January.
