The National Running Show Birmingham in partnership with Children with Cancer UK took place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2020. The organising team reported that the UK show attracted ‘more than 24,500 runners who were able to prepare themselves for a successful year of running and health.’
Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell officially opened day one; and Kriss Akabusi and Dean Karnazes opened day two. The speaker programme offered a packed two days with sessions from Olympic medallists such as Steve Cram and Jo Pavey through to endurance athletes and adventurers including Lazarus Lake, Mimi Anderson, Anna McNuff, Camille Heron, Nicky Spinks, Jordan Wylie, Nikki Love, Chris Nicholson, Charles Sproson, Alex Cook, Anita Bean, Allie Bailey, Susannah Gill, James Elson, Nick Butter, Rhys and Scott Jenkins, Jessica Robson, Rob Pope, Lowri Morgan, Geoff Brierley and David Hellard.
As an Official Retail Partner, Intersport was home to a number of top brands including adidas, AfterShokz, ASICS, DW Fitness First, Energetics, New Balance and SafeSize. Meanwhile, over at Up & Running were Altra, Brooks, CamelBak, CLIF Bar, Craft, Hilly, Hoka One One, On, OOFOS, Plantronics, Polar, Ronhill and Saucony. In total, over 250 exhibitors spanned the exhibition halls.
New for 2020 and in line with the growing popularity of trail running were areas including the Ultra Zone, The OCR Zone and The Trail Zone. Covering further aspects of running were 3D Gait Analysis, MSK Clinic, Steve Cram’s Training Camp, Nutrition Advice Zone, Podiatry Clinic, Sweat Test Zone, The Run Café, The Run Clinic, The Running Bookshop, The Treatment Room and NURVV Run Experience. For the first time this year, three lucky winners walked away with a new treadmill thanks to the Treadmill Challenge sponsored by Hammer Fitness UK.
In an effort to make the event as environmentally efficient as possible, the organisers of The National Running Show 2020 had made their sustainability policy clear in the run-up to the event. Kit recycling drop-off points were filled, many used the Travel Carbon Calculator to offset their travel to the event and ‘the vegan central café was a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.’
The team at The National Running Show wore branded t-shirts made from recycled bottles; the Show Guide was printed on recycled paper; and VIPs were gifted reusable jute bags.
The National Running Show Networking Dinner took place on the evening of Saturday 25th January and welcomed over 300 people from the B2B running community to meet, network and do business.
Event Director Nathalie Davies said “We are absolutely delighted with the success of The National Running Show Birmingham 2020. Thank you to every single person who came to the show and we hope that you went home informed and inspired, wherever you are on your running journey.
“It was a privilege to have so many speakers, retailers, brands and experts under one roof, each helping to advise and encourage visitors as they prepare for the year of running ahead. We are excited to be hosting the very first National Running Show in London this June and look forward to welcoming many more runners of all levels there.”
At the end of the show Mike Seaman, CEO of Raccoon Events, announced the launch of grants for athletes and confirmed that Eilish McColgan will be the first recipient of an Elite Athlete Grant.
The National Running Show Birmingham in partnership with Children with Cancer UK 2021 will return to the NEC on 30-31 January 2021 and tickets will be available soon.
The National Running London takes place on 13-14 June 2020.
