Over the weekend of 31st January to 1st February, more than 30,000 people flocked to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, for the 2026 National Running Show. This is the biggest running community gathering of the year, bringing together not only running enthusiasts but also inspirational influencers, elite endurance and trail runners, Olympic athletes, and coaches.

The show is perfectly timed for runners training for major events in the Spring, providing an opportunity to explore and learn about cutting-edge technology, the very best in nutrition, the latest shoes and equipment, all under one roof.

With over 250 brands and around 300 stands to explore, the National Running Show has grown continuously since its launch in 2018. Queues formed well before 9.00am, and there was an electric atmosphere as the doors opened.

England Athletics (EA) was a hub of activity throughout the day. A spokesperson reported: “Our Run Club Hub proved hugely popular, with registered athletes proudly representing their clubs by adding their vest and club name to the board. Over 350 clubs were represented over the weekend, highlighting the strength, diversity, and reach of clubs across the country. It was great to talk to so many passionate members who are proud to represent their club."

Highlights included the RUN:EA 'spin the wheel' to win a freebie and find out more about the benefits of RUN:EA membership. Families enjoyed the Funetics Activation Zone, where they were encouraged to run, jump and throw, guided by the Funetics team through fun and accessible challenges.

Inspirational guest speakers included the newly announced RUN:EA and RunTogether ambassador, Jo Pavey (Exeter Harriers) – a four-time Olympian from 2000 to 2012 and the 2014 European 10,000m champion, aged 40!

To highlight the importance of the athletics club structure, EA launched a new Club of the Month initiative last year. Each month, one affiliated club will be selected and celebrated with a mini-documentary produced by Athletics Weekly. The most recent club featured was one of the oldest in the country, Burton AC...

The National Running Show will return to the NEC Birmingham on 30-31 January, 2027, and details are already available here.

Photo courtesy of the National Running Show on Facebook