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Off to the expo!

In one hours time I'm off to the London Marathon Expo where I hope to meet many of our runbritain readers. We are on stand 520. Basically, you will come in, pick you're number up (if you are running, that is), have a look at the adidas merchandise section and then enter the main expo. If you turn right as soon as you come into the main bit you will find us and Run England on the back wall.

adidas area - expo stand

On the stand we have several runbritain and England Athletics members of staff. I will be there as will Gavin Lightwood, road race co-ordinator. John Temperton, in charge of Athletics Services is coming for the day on Thursday. Geoff Wightman, our MD is there full time but will be splitting his time between the stand and announcing/interviewing on the main stage. He also has the very important job of announcing and commentating at the main event!

The England Athletics communications squad will also be in attendance. That is Andy Barber and Nicola Evans. Then we have a big squad from Manchester University Cross Country Club, where I coach so I've recruited them to help the cause! Nigel Jones, Race Director from Swansea Bay 10km will be with us on Saturday and Sunday as will my other half, Bashir Hussain.

So what will we want you to do? As well as coming along to say hi and allow us to put a face to the name we want to introduce you to Reward Running 2011, in association with Sennheiser and adidas. This is a new and unique loyalty scheme for runners of all standards. Even better than that, it takes the form of a virtual race for runbritain's online community that finishes on New Year's Eve this year. I won't tell you anymore than that! Come along and find out!

The staff from England Athletics will be concentrating on introducing you to Run England, that is the official England Athletics recreational running project and aims to get the whole nation running. The Run England side of the stand will encourage everyone to "Get Running" and the runbritain side will encourage everyone to "Get racing". Do you see the difference?!

So we're looking forward to meeting you and also to the complete Expo experience! It's a great place to hang out for everyone interested in running and fitness. We hear that this year's will be the biggest ever and that many exhibitors are looking forward to presenting their latest products and services. Certainly there are a few runbritain friends. I went to test ride an ElliptiGO a couple of weeks ago and they hope to show you what they can offer if you are injured or can't run as many miles as you want to. All the major athletic brands are present and of course our sponsors, adidas, also sponsor the marathon and so have lots to share with you. The show has more manufacturers, more international races, more charities, more running publications, more medical companies and the best selection of retailers you will ever see under one roof.

The Expo starts on Wednesday morning at 11am. I am going down there today to make sure we are all set up and ready to greet you. The Wednesday and Thursday are usually fairly quiet so if you can get in then please do. It starts to get quite busy from Friday night. Even if you live a long way away it might be worth getting the train in and back on Wednesday or Thursday so that you can have a quiet and relaxing Friday and Saturday before the race. Don't forget the FA Cup semi finals are on this weekend so there will also be a lot of football fans travelling to London on Friday and Saturday (and back again on Sunday!) Please don't leave it too late on Saturday. The expo closes on the dot of 5pm on the Saturday so if you haven't picked your number up by then all these months of training will be lost. Every year we see someone arrive who has just missed the closing time. They are usually in tears and begging the security guards to let them in. Don't let it be you!

Anyway, must go...train to catch!