Category: News

One year to go until this award-winning running community event in Southern California

LOS ANGELES (September 28, 2021) – Award-winning running show organizer, Raccoon Media Group announced the third Run Show USA venue has been confirmed for September 24-25 2022, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. This is following the successful launch of the Run Show USA in Boston and Chicago. 

The exposition will bring together the running community to get inspiration, gain advice and learn from renowned industry experts on how to get started or how to take their running to the next level.  The show offers a retail experience unlike any other, enabling visitors to try out products and talk directly to brands and their ambassadors. The event will also boast a host of interactive features including a Running Skills Theater, Trail Zone, Strength Training Zone, Gait Analysis and Recovery Zone. 

Running veterans and influencers including Carl Lewis, Camille Herron and Dean Karnazes are already confirmed to speak, with many more great names to be announced soon.  

Companies interested in presenting their brands, runners and running enthusiasts are encouraged to visit runshowusa.com to find out more about the event.  

Group Event Director Nathalie Davies commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the reaction from the market for the Run Show USA, with some incredible brands signing up to take part across all of our events. Our aim is that this event will form the cornerstone of a runner’s calendar, providing them with all of the inspiration, gear, tech, nutrition advice and races they need to achieve their running goals.” 

The Run Show USA was founded by U.K.-based Raccoon Media Group, the company behind England’s National Running Show, National Outdoor Expo, National Cycling Show and National Snow Show.  

For more information about The Run Show USA visit www.runshowusa.com; to discuss opportunities to exhibit contact Nathalie Davies – nathalie.davies@raccoonmediagroup.com  

In line with the government announcement on Monday about restrictions being extended by a further four weeks, the organiser of The National Running Show has announced that its South event has been moved to the 11 – 12 September 2021. The event will take place at Farnborough International and is set to welcome thousands of runners of all abilities for a packed weekend of inspiration, kit, tech and connection.

Originally due to take place 17 – 18 July 2021, the event has been moved by eight weeks to allow for a safe buffer after restrictions are set to expire on 19 July. The event is set to welcome a first-class speaker line-up including Kelly Holmes, Vassos Alexander, Nell McAndrew, Iwan Thomas and Roger Black.

The show, open to runners of all abilities, will feature an Inspiration Stage, Running Skills Theatre, Ultra Zone with Bad Boy Running and a large range of interactive features.

Nathalie Davies, Group Event Director at Raccoon Media Group commented: “While we are disappointed not to be able to run the event on the original date line we know that when we are finally able to get together face-to-face this event is going to be incredible. Never has a show been more anticipated! The response from the running community has been really positive, runners have faced 18 months of turbulence but with the incredible speakers, first-class brands and a host of new interactive features, the event will not disappoint. Let the countdown begin.”

Tickets to the show are available for £10 from https://nationalrunningshowsouth.seetickets.com/event/national-running-show/south/1485643

All exhibitors, speakers and brands will be kept up to date on the National Running Show website www.nationalrunningshow.com

The exhibitions industry is racing to help those in need by running for a good cause. Set for June 8-9 for a 4 p.m. start in the U.K. (11 a.m. EDT), the Event Industry Backyard Ultra will feature marathon enthusiast and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, who will be running a 5K race every hour for a straight 24 hours in an effort to raise funds for two industry charities and a global charity supporting India, while being livestreamed across multiple platforms.

To help this important effort, please visit Event Industry Backyard Ultra for donations and ways to join in and help out.

Participating in what BBC Sport describes as “the toughest, weirdest race you’ve never heard of,” Emslie must consecutively run a 5K (3.1 mile) distance in less than one hour. After completing each lap, he will use any remaining time within that hour to recover for the next round.

The event will concurrently livestream industry panel sessions covering hot-button topics from around the world. There will be regular check-ins with Emslie and other event industry runners who will be joining him from across the globe, including the United States, Mexico, the Middle East and China.

U.K.-based Roger Black, silver medallist in the 400-metre sprint at both the Olympic Games and World Championships, and UK-based singer, actress and TV personality Suzanne Shaw also will be joining in the challenge. Running from the Raccoon Event’s HQ office in Surrey and supported by Guildford’s Running Mayor Mike Seaman and his team at the National Running Show, the goal of the run is to raise $24,000 for the Meetings Industry Fund, Indian Red Cross Society and EventWell.

 

“The charities we have chosen will help people not only impacted in the events industry, but also assist with efforts to combat the devastating COVID surge in India,” said Emslie, who is spearheading this effort. “I hope the Event Industry Backyard Ultra can continue to raise awareness and money to build upon the great work that has already been done. I would like to thank everyone for their support for what I hope will be a very memorable day.”

See www.24hour5krun.com for more details on how to participate or donate.

Momentum is building for the first ever Run Show USA event, scheduled Jan. 29-30, 2022, at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center, with the announcement that top running brands including ASICS, HOKA ONE ONE, Altra, Runderwear, Feetures, Smartwool, Caldera and PRO Compression will be joining Retail Partner Marathon Sports, in bringing all the best gear and tech to this start-of-the-season event, set to welcome over 10,000 runners.

 

The expo will also play host to newly announced, internationally recognized speakers Joe De Sena, Dave McGillivray and Chris Kostman who will join Carl Lewis, Dean Karnazes, Susie Chan, Kelly Roberts and Camille Herron to deliver a packed schedule of inspirational and educational talks set across two stages that will be the centerpiece of the 86,000 sqft venue.

 

As well as an impressive retail offering and world class speaker line-up the event will offer special features include a Running Skills Theater, Trail Zone, Strength Training Zone, Gait Analysis and Recovery Zone. The Run Show USA is scheduled for late January 2022, at the beginning of the season when runners are looking for inspiration, top of the range gear and apparel, nutrition advice, races to enter, and personal training technology designed to track their progress.

 

Nathalie Davies, Group Event Director at Run Show USA, said: “With just eight months to go until Run Show Boston we are delighted to be able to announce that such a huge list of powerhouse brands and hugely inspiring speakers will be joining us. Our aim is to bring everything a runner could need under one roof: inspiration, professional advice, top brands, interactive features and a room filled with thousands of like-minded people, to set them up for their best possible running season.”

 

To find out more about the event or to register to attend visit: https://runshowboston.seetickets.com/tour/run-show-usa-boston

 

The National Running Show South team is proud to announce that they will be working with Total Communication throughout the show weekend (17-18 July) at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre to support deaf runners at the show. The TC team will be providing interpreters live on stage and offering assistance from their exhibition stand to make sure that the content and retail experience at the show is inclusive and accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.

 

Speakers at the much-anticipated event include Olympians including Dame Kelly Holmes, Roger Black and Iwan Thomas, as well as a number of other celebrity runners such as Nell McAndrew, Vassos Alexander and Suzanne Shaw and running experts Danny Bent, Anna Harding, Julie Creffield and Emma Kirk-Odunubi.

 

Event Director Nathalie Davies said “We’ve always strived to make the National Running Show inclusive to all runners, no matter how far or fast you go. Over the past year, it has been magnified just how important running has been to both mental and physical health for so many people in the UK. We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the team at Total Communication to offer additional support at the show for runners who are deaf or have hearing difficulties. We just can’t wait to bring this amazing community together again”.

 

Free tickets are also available from the Total Communication team for all visitors who need assistance at the show and their accompanying friends/families. Contact the Total Communication team or marketing@raccoonmediagroup.com for further details.

 

The UK’s ultimate snow, ice and leisure experience, SnowDome, is joining the line-up at The National Snow Show, sponsoring an epic indoor slope and providing expert coaching to the more than 15,000 visitors expected at the NEC in Birmingham on 23-24 October 2021.

 

The National Snow Show is the vessel for growth for the UK snowsport industry, encouraging people to re-ignite their passion for snowsports and allowing others to discover the sport in a fully inclusive way. SnowDome will be working with the Snow Show team to increase participation by inviting beginners and regular skiers/boarders to come along and get inspiration and advice ahead of the 21-22 season.

 

Stephen Morgan, MD of Raccoon Active Events commented “We are absolutely stoked to be working so closely with SnowDome. The team at the National Snow Show are seriously passionate about creating a truly inclusive event where visitors can not only be inspired by our fantastic line-up of speakers, but also have a go themselves and get some hands-on practical advice on everything from planning a trip to getting the right gear to take with them. The SnowDome team is uniquely positioned to help us achieve this goal and we look forward to working with them over the next six months.”

 

“We are thrilled to be a part of this years brand new National Snow Show! It’s a huge passion of ours to give newcomers an opportunity to give it a go and experience the fun of winter sports!”. Tim Carter – Director, SnowDome.

 

The team behind the National Snow Show has also announced a host of new brands that will be in attendance over the two days including BASI, Offpiste Spirit, The Snowboard Instructor Podcast, Greenover, Canteen Collective, Ski Goddess, Andorra Travel Service, Pulseroll, Dalbello, Volkl, Marker and Weston Backcountry who will join a plethora of brands exhibiting at the event offering the latest kit, tech, trips and gear.

 

The team has also revealed two new speakers including four time Winter Olympian Chemmy Alcott and two-time Winter Olympian Aimee Fuller who join the all-star line-up including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Katie Ormerod, Benjamin Alexander, Billy Morgan, Scott Penman, Jamie Barrow, Graham Bell, Jamie Nicholls, Warren Smith and Ed Drake. Delivering a host of inspiring talks and informative workshops, the speakers will make up a packed timetable across the two days sharing their knowledge and insight into the 2022 Winter Olympics that will be just around the corner.

 

Visitors can access the Rail Jam dry slope, Rider’s Lounge in partnership with Red Bull, Shred & Butta Stage in partnership with Shred & Butta, Skate Mini Ramp in partnership with Graystone Action Sports, Alpine Après Bar with live music and a Good Vibes Après Party, all under one roof.  On top of this stellar offering a bevy of Tour Operators, Resorts and Destinations will be on hand to help plan the trip of a lifetime to some of the world’s most popular resorts as well as some off-the-beaten-track destinations. The Show’s Official Insurance Providers MPI Brokers will also be onsite to ensure that you can have peace of mind on your next trip too.

 

Not just aimed at people already involved in the snow scene, the Show will provide an opportunity for those interested to get a taste for snowsports through a series of workshops, skills sessions, dry slope sessions, as well as a mini league for university students to pitch their skills against each other to be in with a chance to win £500 to spend at the show.

 

For more information about The National Snow Show visit www.nationalsnowshow.com or to discuss opportunities to exhibit contact Stephen Morgan stephen.morgan@raccoonmediagroup.com.

Despite being postponed twice over the last year, the new event from Raccoon Media Group, The National Running Show South, is expected to be the most successful launch to date for the company, with more than 20,000 runners and over 100 brands signed up to attend the Expo, set to take place at Farnborough International on 17-18 July 2021.

 

Raccoon Media Group, the company behind The National Running Show, National Outdoor Expo, National Snow Show and Run Show USA, has recently added more top brands to the line-up including COROS, Goodr, Oofos, Aftershokz, Secret Whispers, Kendal Mint Company, Artisan Design, Supernatural Fuel, Viveca Biomed, HBHM, Monty & Ridge, Platinum Ambulance Service, Running Bear, Revvies and MFB Activewear.

 

The Event will also play host to a brand-new Yoga Zone, in partnership with Yoga Furie. The Yoga Zone adds to an already impressive offering of interactive features that will connect runners with experts and professionals from across the running industry including a Gait Analysis feature with 8^th Element, Strength Zone with Endure Stronger, Run Clinic with The Movement & Running School, Events Village powered by RaceNation, Pace Yourself Zone with Xempo and Art of Your Success, Bra Fit Bar with Runderwear and a Recovery Zone in partnership with Therabody.

 

Nathalie Davies, Group Event Director at Raccoon Media Group, commented: “The last few months has seen an explosion of interest in the event. Bringing the industry together and building a community is of paramount importance and after such a tumultuous year the enthusiasm and pace at which the event is growing is great to see. We are very close to reaching maximum capacity and are delighted to have powerhouse brands including Runners Need, On Running, Salomon, Ronhill, Hoka One One, KT Tape, 2XU, New Balance and Kind Snacks on board. It’s set to be a fantastic event, just what the industry needs after the challenges everyone has faced.”

 

Tickets to the show are available for £10 from www.nationalrunningshow.com/south

 

If you are interested in exhibiting at the show, please contact Rachel Marsh– rachel.marsh@raccoonmediagroup.com or tel. 0203 9311490

 New network of Running Mayors appointed to champion running as an antidote to some of our most pressing challenges

A new network of Running Mayors from all across the UK — and beyond — are announced today having been appointed by Runner’s World and the RunSome campaign.

This includes local businessman and CEO of the National Running Show, Mike Seaman. Mike, who lives in Bookham, Surrey runs Raccoon Media Group, a health and wellbeing events company based in the heart of Guildford, the biggest event being The National Running Show which attracts over 35,000 runners over two shows in the UK every year. An avid runner himself Mike is committed to championing running as a sustainable mode of travel, a way to stay fit and manage mental health and build community.

Tasked with advocating for running as an antidote to some of 2021’s toughest challenges — like taking practical steps to improve their community’s mental health and reduce air pollution — the new Running Mayors provide a face and a voice to champion running in the place they know and care about, the city or town where they live.

Mike commented: “I feel really strongly that being active outdoors offers so many positive effects on people’s lives and I will be actively seeking to work with local authorities to make sure that this is recognised and prioritised, and to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to allow local people to safely choose to run instead of travel by car. Guildford in particular faces some huge congestion issues, especially at peak times, so choosing to walk, run or cycle can feel like an unsafe option, as Running Mayor for Guildford I will be actively campaigning for car free days and run/cycle lanes to allow for safer outdoor activity.

“Having worked alongside thousands of runners over the years I understand the huge health benefits running can bring and look forward to being an advocate for that as a Running Mayor.”

The world’s first Running Mayors will promote running as a form of active travel, positioning it as a viable alternative to jumping in the car for short errands and local trips, as well as running for leisure and sport.

The Running Mayors Network is an initiative of the RunSome campaign. Led by Runners World, Active Things and a coalition of leading running brands and organisations, RunSome is urging government to include running in its £2bn active travel funding alongside walking and cycling. With a quarter of a million people in the UK already running everyday journeys, RunSome wants to double that number within the next 12 months, whilst delivering a timely boost to mental and physical health.

Running is an efficient mode of urban transport – it’s cheap, it’s typically twice as fast as walking, often faster than driving in congested cities, has a low carbon footprint and aids our mental and physical health. With a quarter of UK journeys a mile or less (Sustrans) and over two thirds of car trips in UK cities under 3 miles (INRIX) there is much potential. Cities worldwide are adapting streets for people to enable more journeys on foot and bikes. If the UK’s 11 million runners ran just one or two everyday journeys a week rather than drive, it would be significant, enabling us to navigate our cities more healthily and sustainably.

As individuals and as a network the Running Mayors will make the case to city leaders and mayors for why runners — too often invisible in discussions about how we live and move — need to feature in their planning and design of places and services, not least in terms of active travel.

The Running Mayors will also work with other local stakeholders to champion a range of topics that they care deeply about – for many that also includes improving safety and security for women when running, walking and cycling — be that through better lighting, upgrading routes and pavements or buddying up scheme.

High profile campaign supporters include five-time Olympian Jo Pavey and Scotland’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner Lee Craigie.

Five time Olympian Jo Pavey: “I’m thrilled to be involved in the RunSome campaign and to support Running Mayors. Encouraging people to make some everyday trips in an active way is great for both health and wellbeing and the environment. During these difficult times for everyone, it is also even more important to promote the massive benefit that running can have on our mental health.”

Scott Cain, CEO of Active Things and co-founder of the RunSome campaign, comments, “To run is part of who we are. We just designed it out of our daily lives, and now – with COVID-19 and all the changes in how we live and move – it’s time to design it back in again. Just think: if the 11m people who already run in the UK swapped the car for even just one or two short trips a week, we can make a big difference.”

The Running Mayors can be found on the RunSome website and prominent campaign supporters can also be found here.