Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic - Episode #15 featuring James Thurlow now live! 

Matt and Tom are in conversation with James Thurlow, MD of Open Tracking.

James’ journey in the running industry stretches back nearly two decades, initially as an event organiser but now providing the largest live GPS tracking service to some of the industry’s biggest brands and foremost events.

Having been encouraged to keep his product alive after initial challenges, Open Tacking is now regarded as the market leader and James and his team as the go-to experts. James shares his thoughts on how trackers can best benefit an event or brand, the need to be able to support up to half a million people dot watching at one time, and where he believes the technology will go in the future.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

There is a link on the homepage of the website and the podcast is also available to listen to on all the major the platforms including:

Apple | Spotify | Amazon

Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Tom Kerry LINKEDIN
• GUEST: James Thurlow LINKEDIN

Useful links:

• Open Tracking: WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference presented by haku #TRC24 WEBSITE

Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic - Episode #14 featuring Lia Fyles now live! 

Matt and Tom are in conversation with Lia Fyles, Race Director of the London Landmarks Half Marathon.

"When you think about who are the faces of the LLHM, it’s not the celebrities or the athletes, it’s the fundraisers. We’ve always awarded Bib Numbers 1-10 not to our fastest runners but to special fundraisers who have gone above and beyond."

In this episode we speak with Lia Fyles, Race Director of the London Landmarks Half Marathon. We discover how maths graduate Lia with a passion for salsa dancing went from being a former English teacher and fundraiser  to leading of one of the biggest and best half marathons in the UK.

Having raised a staggering £50,000,000+ for charity since the inaugural event in 2018, the event organised by pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s to benefit many good causes continues to go from strength to strength. Lia shares some insights into the inception of the event and expertly brings to life the importance of charity fundraising, participant experience, positive female participation, industry collaboration, and ambitions for the future.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

There is a link on the homepage of the website and the podcast is also available to listen to on the following platforms:

Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Deezer

Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Tom Kerry LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Lia Fyles LINKEDIN

Useful links:

• London Landmarks Half Marathon: WEBSITE
• Tommy's: WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference presented by haku #TRC24 WEBSITE

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

Matt & Becs are in conversation this month with Pinky Ghadiali, CEO of Netwomen

Netwomen helps organisations increase profits by retaining and elevating talented female leaders to bridge the gender and ethnicity gap and keep them there. Workplace diversity is listed as an important factor by 67% of job seekers when choosing an employer, with GenZ looking for employers who are culturally and gender diverse.

Together we talk about inclusive leadership coaching, creating an inclusive workplace and fostering equity, women becoming leaders and connection between culture and gender.

"How to get comfortable with being uncomfortable"

We close the episode discussing the launch of the RIA Education Hub with learning for actionable change and more!

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Pinky Ghadiali LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The RIA Spring Gathering VIDEO
• The Running Conference #TRC23 WEBSITE

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic! 

Participation and Women's Running  : Gateway into Ultra and more

Matt & Becs are in conversation this month with Nick Tuppen, CEO of Threshold Sports; a company that lives and breathes their mantra of #MoreIsInYou. Their purpose is to help people realise their potential by creating world-class events that make the seemingly unobtainable, obtainable.

Providing this platform has seen them inspire hundreds of thousands of runners at all levels. and helped to raise millions for charity in the process.

In this episode, we carry on the conversation from episode 3 around what drives participation and whether the facts and stats discussed in episode 3 apply to all "new" experiences.

We discuss what "A Happening" is, the changing ways brands are engaging via online communities and offline events and their plans to make the UK's largest Ultramarathon over 50% women in 2024.

We close the episode discussing collaboration and the benefits of this being inbuilt into what we all do and love! (Running in case we haven't mentioned that enough!).

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Nick Tuppen LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The RIA Spring Gathering VIDEO
• The Running Conference #TRC23 WEBSITE

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic!

Women's Running and Participation : Addressing Challenges and Fostering Collaboration.
   
Matt & Becs are this month with inspiring guest Holly Woodford, the Co-Founder along with Mel Berry of Her Spirit, which is on a mission to make it easier for 1 million women to get active and healthier together. Holly is also the presenter of the Women’s Sport Disrupt series which launched in April. 

• Episode 3 of our captivating RIA podcast collab series delves deep into the exhilarating world of women's running, shedding light on participation levels and tackling a concerning downward trend head-on. Prepare to be inspired as we explore various aspects, from understanding women's motivators to accepting diverse outcomes, all with the aim of encouraging more people to embrace the joy of running by dismantling barriers to entry together.
• In this episode, we embark on an exciting journey through two emerging trends in women's running: the thrill of competing and the satisfaction of completing. We delve into the culture surrounding these trends, shining a spotlight on the power of building a supportive community that celebrates collective achievement rather than solely focusing on individual success. Brace yourself as we question the origins and effects of the elusive "5K under 30 mins" myth, unravelling its general impact on women's mental and physical well-being.
• This podcast episode goes beyond exploration however, it seeks to ignite change whilst confronting the potential fear that comes with collaboration, recognising the existence of competing businesses in a single shared space. We ponder the question of what might be lost by failing to harness the power of collaboration, igniting an urgent call to unite and work towards a common goal.
• Prepare to embark on a journey of action and transformation as we present several key steps to bring about change in women's running. 
• This episode is a catalyst for continuous conversations that will reshape the running landscape, propelling us toward a brighter future for generations to come. Holly and Becs will elaborate on this further in future episodes and further announcements going forward. 

"Uncomfortable conversations often lay the groundwork for positive transformation. By fearlessly embracing these discussions, we create an environment that nurtures and propels change for the betterment of the running industry, promoting active participation, and enhancing the holistic health and well-being of all”.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.
   
   Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Holly Woodford LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The RIA Spring Gathering VIDEO
• The Running Conference #TRC23 WEBSITE

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic!

• Welcome intro and chat with Matt, Becs and Tom

Tom Kerry, an industry expert in mass participation events with over 25 years in the Running Industry, has joined  Matt and Becs to co-host episodes that focus around mass participation events, services, technology and more that help to advance the sector. 

• Matt chats to Becs Richardson about Running Industry Alliance (RIA) updates including meet ups, 10 pillars, 6 focus areas, sharing best practice and working together as an industry 
• Matt chats to Tom Kerry about joining as co-host of the RIA Podcast around mass participation episodes and discuss that collaboration is key and the way forward for greater good to be achieved across the landscape
• Matt chats to Will Golder, CEO of RaceNation // SportsGiving for the main part of the RIA Podcast for this episode 2. They talk about technology, data, what the future could look like, current landscape, booking habits, boom potential, integration and opportunities, The Running Conference and more.
• Matt concludes by chatting to Tom and Becs about the episode, thoughts and next episodes coming up! 

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Hosts:

• Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• Tom Kerry LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The RIA Spring Gathering VIDEO
• The Running Conference #TRC23 WEBSITE

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic!

·       Welcome intro and chat with Matt, Becs and Jonathan 

·       Chat about The Running Conference by Running Industry Alliance in December 2022 and Running Industry Alliance 

·       Matt chats to Tom Kerry, Head of Sport - LimeLight Sports Group 

·       Matt chats to Dean Swingler, Senior Sales Account Manager for Scimitar Sportswear 

·       Matt chats to Pete Cooper, Co-Founder & CCO of Coopah 

·       The Running Conference 2023 “save the date” is unveiled! 

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Hosts:

·       Matt Ward LINKEDIN
·       Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
·       Jonathan Midwood LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

·       Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
·       Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
·       Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
·       Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
·       The Running Conference #TRC23 WEBSITE

Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic – Episode #13 featuring Vicki Turner now live!

Matt is in conversation this month with Vicki Turner, Sales & Marketing Manager at Bridgedale. 

“All we are trying to do is keep people comfortable on the trails, whether they are walking or running. That’s it, that’s our end goal to make durable, comfortable socks. It’s a small ambition if you like but it makes a big difference to people.” 

Vicki Turner, Bridgedale 

In this episode we discuss the history and heritage of the brand with Vicki, and how Bridgedale doesn’t just design socks but makes them. Their factory at the tip of the Strangford Lough, Newtownards, near Belfast in Northern Ireland has been knitting socks since WW1, when the first army socks were made. The strong heritage in hosiery is a feature of the Bridgedale brand and several of the team have been working in the factory for over 40 years, so they definitely know their socks! 

Matt and Vicki discuss Vicki’s journey and background in the outdoors, the brand’s strapline of why “Little things matter”, how trail running has contributed to the growth of the brand, and the success of their collaborative product development process with the end user that also led to the latest Trail Run range. We also learn about the environmental side, yarn suppliers, and Bridgedale’s commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare. 

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

There is a link on the homepage of the website and the podcast is also available to listen to on the following platforms:

Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Deezer

 Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Vicki Turner LINKEDIN 

Useful links:

• Bridgedale: WEBSITE
• Bridgedale Animal Welfare 
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference presented by haku #TRC24 WEBSITE

Matt and Becs are in conversation with Hannah Beecham MBE, Founder of RED January.

"When RED January began it was at the point in time when we were really on the cusp of talking about the relationship between movement and mental health. Now we know the benefits it is really around empowering and supporting people to move in a way that works for them" Hannah Beecham MBE 

• RED January is designed to support people through winter and tackle increasing inactivity levels. Recent research shows that 1.8m adults are less active in the winter.
• RED focuses on setting realistic movement goals for every day in January. Goals that work for its community and their lifestyles, giving that community a real chance of continuing throughout the year.
• RED also represents a supportive community. People across the globe coming together to empower each other.

In this episode we discuss with Hannah the foundations and beginnings of RED. Hannah's inspiration from trying to find resources to help her mum through to celebrating  RED's 10 year anniversary with the REDers and the community! 

We discuss supportive and collaborative partnerships and how to get involved in RED, and why RED is working closely with RIA. 

A decade of movement accumulating to the launch of an additional RED resource on the 13th May, launching as part of Mental Health Awareness Week and establishing further good habits around movement and the benefits to mental and physical health. Find out more about this in this episode as we announce and talk through with Hannah. 

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 takes place from 13th to the 19th May, with the theme this year of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.

Thanks for listening!

Host & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• CO-HOST:  Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Hannah Beecham MBE LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• RED January: WEBSITE
• RED January Resource: DOWNLOADS
• RED: Community
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference #TRC24 (8th to 10th December) WEBSITE

The Running Industry Alliance Podcast is produced by Supersonic Podcasts and presented by Matt Ward. We’d be SO grateful if you could subscribe and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you want to find out more about RIA and how you could be a member, just head to our website at www.runningindustryalliance.com  

Thanks for listening and we’ll be back with another episode soon, see ya!

Matt and Tom are in conversation with Charlie Allen, founder of Run Social.

‘RUN SOCIAL is a free after work weekly networking event designed to create a healthy, fun, and alcohol free platform for socialising, networking and exercising. It is a social running club where people can enjoy their running, improve the health, and meet new friends and expand their professional networks all at the same time.’

In this episode we hear all about the rapid growth of Run Social, Charlie’s own journey with running from being stood on London Bridge by himself hoping others would show up to run with him to what is today a network of events across the UK, international trips and the healthiest night out in London!

Having come from the worlds of professional sport and recruitment, Charlie is refreshingly not hampered by traditional views and ways of working and his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed have sparked a community where people feel safe, are willing to share experiences and return time after time.

We hear about Run Socials grand ambitions for the future, why partnerships with brands are working and how being a member of Running Industry Alliance has worked for Run Social.

Charlie is a fascinating person with a wealth of ideas and creativity; listeners will get the sense that Run Social will only grow and grow and become a community highly valued and sort after by many.

Go to https://www.linkedin.com/company/run-social/ to find out more or pop along to one of the 15 free Wednesday night run clubs and join in.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Host & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Tom Kerry LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Charlie Allen LINKEDIN

Useful links: 

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference #TRC24 (8th to 10th December) WEBSITE

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Co-Leads: 

•  Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• Jonathan Midwood LINKEDIN