The O2

This Sunday October 5th Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat saw 10,000 runners take part in London's first ever half-marathon. The event started and finished at The O2, London's Premier music venue, which saw the runners power around the course through the wind and rain, motivated by strategically placed live music performances along the way.

The thousands of members of the public, who took part in this truly groundbreaking event, were accompanied by Harriet Scott from Heart FM, GMTV newsreader Priya Kaur-Jones, 5ive newsreader and journalist Lara Lewington and Jo Jackson, the Olympic Speed-walker who will be racing as part of team Gatorade.

"I have taken part in half-marathons and long distance runs before but having the music to help spur me on when I was starting to feel the burn really helped. Even though the weather wasn't the best, the atmosphere created by the bands, performers and crowds was really inspirational", commented GMTV presenter Priya Kaur-Jones.

The inaugural event which took place in the nation's capital saw an elite field compete for a share of a £5,000 prize fund. Drawing in athletes from all over the world, Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat winners in the male and female categories were John McFarlane with a time of 1hr 10mins 12 seconds for the men and Birhan Dagne with a time of 1hr 18mins 21 seconds for the women. Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat was no ordinary running event, as it provided something truly different from any long distance runs held previously. The live music that was chosen aided the runners at the correct stages on the course, by providing the correct tempo to boost performance by up to an amazing 20 per cent.

The live music acts were selected by Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat's music partner City Showcase, with the tempo of music being governed by Brunel University Academic, Dr Costas Karageorghis, who has over 20 years experience researching the link between sport and music. Each band played tracks relating to Dr Karageorghis' designated beats per minute and were scientifically positioned along the route with the aim of inspiring runners to achieve PBs.

"We examined the demographic profile of athletes very carefully to ensure the selection of live music acts span age groups and genders to provide motivational music that inspired both runners and spectators", Dr Karageoghis explains.

"I ensured that the tempo and rhythm of the music contoured the physiological demands of the event -providing athletes with the additional motivation they needed to pull a great performance out of the bag and to help them enjoy the experience a little more," said Dr Karageorghis.

Nick Rusling, Race Organiser and Managing Director of IMG Mass Participation Sports, said: "What a fantastic first year for the event. Speaking to so many runners who have all given great feedback on how the music helped them throughout the run has been brilliant. With great bands and all the crowds supporting the runners and performers, Sony Ericsson Run to the Beat has been a huge success for us and we are already looking forward to 2009!"

David Hilton, Marketing Director Sony Ericsson UK and Ireland, said: "It's been great to have been involved from the initial stages through to the end of what has been a phenomenally successful event that involved fun, innovation and of course, music". Philip Beard, Chairman of Sponsorship & Sports, AEG Europe, owners and operators of The O2, said: "We are thrilled to have been a part of the inaugural Run to the Beat event and congratulate everyone who took part. The O2 is a leading sport and music venue, so it always seemed right that it should be involved in such a collaboration."

Music partner, City Showcase, recently held its seventh London music festival which has previously played host to Amy Winehouse, Ironik, Newton Faulkner, Keane, Razorlight, Scouting for Girls, Hot Chip, Natty and Lady Sovereign to name but a few, all of whom began their long road to fame and fortune on the City Showcase stage.

Nanette Rigg, Director of City Showcase, commented, "Wet yet wonderful Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat really enjoyed stunning music with a smile. We at City Showcase and all the bands loved it and we are really looking forward to next year."

Strongly supported by the local community, Greenwich Council even moved its Car Free Day - taking place from 12pm to 4.30pm in Greenwich Town Centre - to coincide with Sony Ericsson Run to the Beat which started and finished at The O2 on Sunday 5th October. Local acts also played a key role in helping runners along the route, with the Royal Artillery Band performing on a community stage hosted by Greenwich Music Services located at Charlton House.

To find out more about how the event went, see stories and images from the day and to listen to the bands signed-up and find out how to enter for 2009, visit www.runtothebeat.co.uk. There is also lots of information from Dr Costas Karageorghis about the science behind Sony Ericsson Run To The Beat as well as access to training programme from Trainsmart.

Download as PDF