The very first National Running Show takes place on 20th and 21st January at Birmingham’s NEC and expectations are high for what is set to be the UK’s most exciting new event for runners.
This innovative expo will bring together a first-class line-up of race organisers, sports retailers, sports brands, nutrition experts, official sporting bodies, communities and expert speakers like never before, all gathered under one roof to inspire the UK’s running community and kick-start the new year in style.
Over 21,000 runners have registered for tickets in advance and are looking forward to a thrilling programme of talks, panel sessions, 1-to-1 coaching and more over the course of the weekend.
At the heart of The National Running show will be the Main Stage, where a superb line-up of speakers will be entertaining the audience with personal anecdotes and giving top tips on how to achieve your running goals. Headed up by Dame Kelly Holmes, the speakers include some of the biggest names in running such as Jo Pavey, Jenny Meadows, Susie Chan, Russell Smith and Sean Conway, as well as expert nutritionists such as Anita Bean. See the full programme of speaker and panel sessions on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st at the event website.
Visitors to the show will have a fantastic opportunity to meet 1-to-1 with some of the keynote speakers and pick their brains in detail. With six experts available continuously throughout the show for 15-minute coaching sessions, these free Ask the Experts sessions need to be booked at the start of each day and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Demand is expected to be high, so early registration is advised!
Of course, no show about running would be complete without a gait analysis zone, and Run3D will be offering free 3D Gait Analysis to all visitors. Designed to accurately determine a runner’s running style, gait analysis can help individuals to choose the right shoes and exercises for them, as well as recover from an injury. Once again, these assessments are expected to be extremely popular, so book your gait analysis at the Run3D stand promptly each morning.
Moving on from gait, The Run Clinic sponsored by Go Run Right is a must for runners wanting to learn how to become better, more efficient runners. Through analysis and simple, effective drills, Go Run Right provides feedback to help runners build good running habits and technique. The team will be running two active sessions at The National Running Show, ‘The Stronger Runner Workout’ and ‘Agile Runner’.
Another running activity not to miss is The Treadmill Challenge, sponsored by Saucony, one of the biggest names in running. Visitors will be invited to take part in a one-minute ‘treadmill challenge’ for their chance to win prizes every hour of the show, view the latest Saucony kit, assess their technique at the Stride Lab and meet the legendary Hurricanes. Be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
After all this activity runners may want to visit The Treatment Room, sponsored by Sports Injury Fix, where a first-class team of experts will be advising on how to prevent as well as repair injury. With a range of specialists available throughout the two days, from physiotherapists and osteopaths to podiatrists and sports therapists, this is a fantastic stop-off for anyone recovering from injury or wanting to learn how best to avoid injury.
As important as injury prevention – and a key factor in maximising performance – is nutrition, so the Nutrition Advice Zone, sponsored by Diet 360, will be offering valuable advice on what you should be eating and drinking as a runner.
Cue The Run Café, sponsored by Get Event Fit, which offers a welcome chance for visitors to relax, unwind and refuel with a selection of healthy snacks and drinks. A meeting point and central hub for the show, The Run Café will be hosting many social media tweet-ups – great for spotting a celebrity runner or two – as well as introducing Get Event Fit’s integrated training programmes for runners and new Virtuathon challenge.
Confirmed as partners and sponsors for The National Running Show are some of the UK’s most trusted running brands and communities, including UKRunChat, Run Mummy Run, Running Heroes, The Great Run Company, Race Solutions, Xtra Mile Events, Impact Marathon Series, White Star Running, Ealing Half Marathon, The Running Awards, ERDINGER Alkoholfrei, Oofos, Up & Running, Scimitar, Sports Injury Fix, Racecheck, Vibram, Hoka One One and Saucony, plus Cancer Research UK as Official Charity Partner. View all sponsors and exhibitors here.
Media partners for the show include Men’s Running, Women’s Running, Sports Insight Magazine and Athletics Weekly.
Mike Seaman, Director of Raccoon Events, commented: “January is finally here and we are extremely excited that it is just days until we open the doors to The National Running Show. We have over 21,000 runners registered and an incredible line-up of exhibitors, partners, sponsors and speakers to inspire and inform over the course of the weekend. We are very much looking forward to hosting everyone under one roof, and last-minute tickets are still available for anyone wishing to join us for this fantastic celebration of running.”
Anyone wishing to register interest in becoming an exhibitor or partner of The National Running Show 2019 should contact Mike Seaman directly by email, at [email protected].
The National Running Show takes place at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st January, 2018. Tickets are on sale and cost £10 per person for the weekend.
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