Over 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the expo next week as the running community starts their training schedules for the upcoming marathon and half-marathon season. Whether you are a seasoned runner looking to improve on a PB (personal best) or you’re starting your journey from couch to 5K, this event is for everyone; and there is no better way to get inspired then hearing from some of the world’s greatest runners.

Speakers looking to motivate every day runners include the fastest British woman in history Dina Asher-Smith, Scottish Olympian Eilish McColgan, legendary hurdlers Colin Jackson CBE and Kriss Akabusi MBE, 400m champion Iwan Thomas MBE and Peleton instructor and endurance runner Susie Chan.

Interactive practical advice and products

Brands and features within the exhibition offer runners with expert advice and products to suit individual needs, with lots of taster sessions and workshops including a bra fitting service with Runderwear, a Mini Athletics Kids Zone, Pilates for Runners Zone, Strength and Wellness Zone by Her Spirit, a Podiatry Clinic with Formthotics, a Parkour Playground with Fusion Extreme and a Recovery Zone with Pulseroll.

An Events Village at the show hosted by Race Nation will help runners to find their perfect challenge or goal for the year ahead with a map of the UK featuring races to suit all abilities.

Steve Cram and his team of coaches will also host a series of training camp sessions offering a range of advice and answering questions. One session will focus on how to tackle your first marathon with guest panellist Eve Muirhead, former Olympic curling champion.

YouTube’s hugely popular Running Channel team will also host a Running Skills Theatre helping runners to prevent injury, choose the right running shoes, improve technique, understand running metrics and follow a training plan. Practical advice will also be offered by Ordnance Survey on how to explore with a map, nutritional advice for vegan runners by ZenB (an official food partner for Barcelona FC) and technical know-how from Garmin and Polar.

The ultimate challenge

For those who are looking to take on an extreme challenge for themselves or simply love to watch the suffering of others; Bad Boy Running’s Ultra Stage is not to be missed. Sponsored by Science in Sport and non-alcoholic beer brand Erdinger, the ‘bad boy’ hosts will sit at the bar to interview some of the most famous ultramarathoners in the world including Dean Karnazes (named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people), Sally McRae who recently won BADWATER 135 (claimed as one of the toughest footraces on the planet) and Gary Robbins who is famed for the documentary ‘Where Dreams Go To Die’, telling the story of his attempt to complete the Barkley Marathons.

Tickets are still available

If reading this has inspired you to start your running journey or get your training on track, tickets are still available. You can book online now (www.nationalrunningshow.com) for £10 per adult ticket (16 & over) and kids can attend for free. Tickets on the door will be £15 each.