National Running Show

At the National Running Show you can see running technology, nutrition, footwear and equipment and hear talks from athletes over two days at NEC Birmingham. This consumer exhibition for runners is organised by Raccoon Media Group, which describes the show as a home for runners however far or fast they go. The January 2027 edition marks the show’s 10th anniversary.

National Running Show 2027 dates, hall and tickets

You can come for one day or the whole weekend, with tickets listed by the NEC from £15 for one day to £25 for the weekend. The next show takes place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2027 in Hall 18 at the NEC, open from 09:00 to 17:00 on both days. According to the organiser, the show is timed for runners training for spring events. If you bring children, the programme includes a Kids Zone, and NEC security officers give out free children’s identification wristbands at the entrance.

Stages, speakers and features

You can choose between talks on three stages, the Inspiration Stage, the Trail & Ultra Stage and the Running Skills Theatre. The 2027 headliners named on the show site include Keely Hodgkinson, Alex Yee, Jonnie Peacock, Charlie Dark MBE, Sophie Raworth, Jenni Falconer and Dr Juliet McGrattan, with Eilish McColgan listed subject to her race calendar. Susie Chan and Iwan Thomas MBE are among the hosts. The organiser says the line-up of athletes and industry experts will cover performance, nutrition and other topics.

Other features on the 2027 programme are:

• The Travelator, which visitors are invited to try for themselves
• an Events Village for finding and planning your next race
• a Run Club Hub for meeting other runners
• a Kids Zone for younger visitors

The content spans trail running, athletics and ultras as well as casual jogging. Other events in our sport and fitness section include the Go Diving Show at NAEC Stoneleigh from 27 February 2027.

Ten years in numbers

You can judge the scale of the show from the totals the organiser has published for the anniversary, covering its first 10 shows:

Measure	Total across 10 shows
Visitors	207,000+
Exhibitors	2087
Speakers	550+
Running clubs represented	600+
Hours of stage content	200+

The organiser says those shows were held in two locations over the decade, and the 2027 edition returns to the NEC.

Exhibiting to meet runners face to face

If you exhibit, the organiser tells brands you will reach more than 30,000 runners face to face during peak training season, at what it bills as the UK’s largest running event. Your exhibiting and sponsorship package is put together individually for your brand rather than sold from a fixed list, and you apply through the exhibit form on the show website. The show site notes that Mizuno has exhibited at the show for three consecutive years. Raccoon Media Group also runs The National Equine Show at the NEC from 27 February 2027. Brands weighing up a first stand can compare costs with our guides to choosing your first UK trade show and building an exhibition budget.

Getting to the NEC

You can arrive by train, plane or car, and if you drive the venue has more than 16,500 parking spaces. The NEC is a five-minute covered walk from Birmingham International station, and Birmingham Airport links to the station by a free air-rail link that takes 90 seconds. The NEC says paying for parking online before the day saves £5 (terms apply), and a free shuttle bus runs between all car parks and the halls on show days, usually starting an hour before opening. Once on the campus, drivers are asked to follow signs to the event car park rather than their sat nav. Cloakrooms next to the halls charge £2 per coat and £3 per bag, and seven hotels sit on the NEC site.

The same month brings other shows in Birmingham, including Sim Global Expo from 16 January 2027 and LAMMA from 20 January 2027.

Source: nationalrunningshow.com, nationalrunningshow.com/speakers, nationalrunningshow.com/show-info/exhibit, thenec.co.uk/events/national-running-show-2027