For 2013, Limelight Sports and the Royal Parks Foundation decided to hold two Charity Workshops on 18 March and 9 May. Forty two charities came together in March and forty eight charities attended in May, to take part in a full day of presentations and breakout sessions. The venue for both Workshops was the LookOut, Hyde Park.

Guest speakers from Virgin Money Giving hosted three sessions covering social media, digital reporting and trends in the marketplace, while the project team and the Golden Oak partners hosted the afternoon sessions on marketing, runner relations, engagement and event specifics. The project team introduced two ‘ice breakers’ before the morning and afternoon breakout sessions of the May Workshop in order to encourage an informal and engaging atmosphere. These ice breakers included ‘intro bingo’ and a ‘sharing board’, and both proved to be very effective tools.

Overall both days were a huge success and enjoyed by all. The team received some great feedback through the ‘sharing board’ and are already looking at new aspects to introduce to the 2014 Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon Charity Workshops.

The event site in Centennial Park, which was kept under wraps until it opened on the event night, was centered on a wild theme with shipping containers lining the fence line, Nike Training Club (NTC) Zones, Chill Out Zones, expression walls and stenciled branding and projections positioned around the site. Out on course runners passed several energy points including a wild animal themed projection which ran alongside them, music, lighting effects and gas cannons.

Runners linked into their Facebook accounts through a specifically created Facebook event app, which pushed out messages to their followers dependent on where they were on course. Performers included Justice Crew and The Faders and other integrated technology included xylobands – made famous during the recent Coldplay tour – which saw the runners bands flash as it was their turn to make their way to the start line. These were also activated out on course as the runners approached an energy point.

The Nike She Runs campaign, whilst primarily being executed online, includes a strong focus on delivering physical activations for the community. Limelight Sports coordinated free group Run Club sessions and NTC workouts in the eight week lead up the event on behalf of Nike, and the community is offered exclusive opportunities to win their way into money can’t buy experiences including an NTC workout with Serena Williams. These activations form a key marketing channel for Nike – they create content and generate discussion amongst the community, they engage community members with the Nike brand and its products, and they leave members with a positive experience which they link to the Nike brand and ‘must share’ with friends and family. Nike are market leaders in this space.

View photos from Nike She Runs 10km – Run Unleashed here

The event, first held in 2005, has been acquired from World Endurance UK. It consists of run-bike-run elements with distances ranging up to the Classic 55k (10k run, 40k bike and 5k run) along with a relay event. It is another property now owned by Limelight Sports, adding to their innovative portfolio that includes Boutique Sport, Home Run and most recently the UK’s first Energizer Night Run.

Craig Dews, Chief Executive at the Limelight Sports Group commented “Creating and acquiring event and technology IP is an integral part of our new long-term strategy. These elements will enhance our offer to new and existing brand clients and build significant value for the business.”

Read more

The inaugural UK event was an overwhelming success with the glow stick inspired runners keeping energy levels at a high throughout the night. The UK’s first edition of the worldwide Energizer Night Run series has already received plenty of positive feedback and demand looks high for a repeat event.

For 2013, Limelight Sports and the Royal Parks Foundation decided to hold two Charity Workshops, allowing a greater number of charities than ever before to be involved. The first of these took place on 18 March.

Forty two charities came together, at the LookOut, Hyde Park, to take part in a full day of presentations and breakout sessions. Guest speakers from Virgin Money Giving hosted three sessions covering social media, digital reporting and trends in the marketplace. Followed by the Royal Parks Foundation and Limelight Sports team who along with the Golden Oak partners hosted the afternoon sessions on marketing, runner relations, engagement and event specifics.

Overall the day was a huge success with the team looking forward to the second Charity Workshop in May, which has already sold out!

The 2012 Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile saw over one million participants take part in more than 6,500 Sport Relief Miles making it the UK’s biggest ever single day, multi-site, mass participation sporting event. Read more

This result at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2013 is the second win for Sport Relief Mile in this category. For Limelight Sports this is the third success in four years in the category and builds on the previous success of winning the much coveted Sport Agency of the Year award in 2011.

Limelight Sports will once again be delivering the London event, taking place over two evenings in Battersea Park, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 July, 2013.  Each night’s 5.6km road race will begin at 6.45p.m. The Corporate Challenge is London’s most popular corporate road race, with the 2012 event hosting a sold-out crowd of 26,000 participants from 595 companies.

The 27th running of the 2013 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® in London has reached capacity and registration has closed to new teams. In addition, hospitality marquee space has sold out, however Company Captains are still able to purchase catering vouchers for their team, which can be redeemed at the dedicated voucher catering outlet on race night.  For more information, please contact the Hospitality Manager on 0845 680 1476.

The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge has been pleased to announce that WaterAid will be the charity beneficiary of the 2013 London event. WaterAid works across 27 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and Central America, using practical solutions to provide safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.  In addition, Nuffield HealthScore™, the new online fitness and lifestyle tool from Nuffield Health, is this year’s local sponsor.  HealthScore enables you to track, monitor and actively improve your health and wellbeing anytime, anywhere, taking into account your body, lifestyle, activity and emotional wellbeing.

Please visit www.jpmorgan.com/cc or alternatively, please contact london@jpmorganchasecc.com or call 0845 680 1475 , for more information.

Treated to the best grass pitches, professional recovery suites and a Nike chill out room with Play Stations, table tennis tables, foozball and wi-fi, the boys took part in seven football sessions and spent a day learning to surf and paddle board at Batemans Bay.

The highlight of the experience for the boys was to take part in the football sessions which were led by eight professional coaches including Manchester United’s Brian McClair and Eamon Mulvey, Barcelona’s Edgar Turo and Ignacio Gonzalvo, Inter Milan’s Giuliano Rusca and Paolo Migliavacca and Corinthians Paulista’s  Marcelo Rospide and Agnello Gonçalves.

The week culminated in an All Stars match at Canberra Stadium, where 26 of the boys were selected to play, led by two of the professional coaches. From this match, one overall Most Valuable Player (MVP) was selected, along with four other MVPs, selected from each of the professional football teams represented at the Camp.

Limelight Sports were responsible for the planning and delivery of the entire camp. This included accommodation and transfers, staffing, player welfare, scheduling, branding, football equipment, product distribution and venue liaison.

Energizer Night Run is a running event with a twist; taking place after sundown the 5km or 10km run and after-party takes place on Saturday 13 April 2013 in London’s Battersea Park and will see thousands of participants light up the night with their free Energizer LED Headlight.

After crossing the red carpet finish, participants will be invited to celebrate in style at an exclusive after-party with a complimentary drink for their efforts, capping off what will surely be an unforgettable experience. Energizer Night Run is part of a world series of events but this is the first time it has been brought to the UK.

Rally the troops and enter now at energizernightrun.co.uk. If you sign up before the end of January you will receive £5 off your entry.

Like us on Facebook at Night Run UK and Follow @nightrunuk on Twitter in the build-up to the event

However, if you didn’t enter the ballot and are still interested in running, why not run with your colleagues in the Corporate Challenge or raise money for one of the many charity partners.

The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 6 October 2013, giving participants plenty of time to train for the 13.1 mile scenic route which winds through four Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and The Green Park) in all their autumnal splendour, as well as passing some of London’s iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and the Royal Albert Hall.

In 2012, over 12,500 runners from 30 countries turned out to race through the capital’s historic green spaces, keen to experience the most beautiful city run in the world.  With 16,000 places available in 2013, we look forward to this year being even bigger and better!

This year also sees Limelight Sports and the Royal Parks Foundation entering a new partnership to deliver this spectacular event for the sixth year.

Read more at www.royalparkshalf.com

Thursday 14 March saw Olympic swimming legend and Swimathon President, Duncan Goodhew, take to the pool with Team GB’s youngest qualifier for London 2012, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, to host a swimming master class with a Year 5 class from Holmleigh Primary School ahead of their School Swimathon challenge! School Swimathon is setting a challenge for pupils up and down the country to develop their swimming ability and swim further than they have ever swum before.

The 45-minute session was held at the impressive Clissold Leisure Centre and focused mainly on improving their swimming technique and general water confidence ahead of their final chance to ‘Swim their best’.

Duncan Goodhew commented, “It’s been fantastic to help the Year 5 children at Holmleigh Primary School gain water confidence and improve their water skills today. The children have come on leaps and bounds since the start of the project in January, which highlights the importance of regular lessons through school to ensure strong swimmers for the future. With 39% of primary school children not receiving swimming lessons in or out of school in 2012, the School Swimathon programme provides an invaluable resource for teachers everywhere to ensure this essential life skill is part of the educational agenda.”

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor stated, “It’s been a great morning with Holmleigh’s Year 5 pupils. I can see some strong emerging swimmers from the session today. The children learned a variety of skills, including stroke technique, which will help them individually to deliver top results during their final School Swimathon challenge.”

Brenda Humphreys, teacher at Holmleigh Primary School explained, “The children have thoroughly enjoyed their time with Duncan and Siobhan-Marie and I am sure their newly learned skills will be indispensable for the final challenge.”

Wednesday saw 20 special guests (aspiring tennis players and competition winners) invited into surprise retail activation in the Nike store at Melbourne Central. The lucky few were told they were attending a session to receive a product pack valued at over $300, which would be presented to them by a Nike expert – little did they know that this expert was current World no. 1 Victoria Azarenka. The same activation was replicated on Thursday with another 20 special guests being treated to a surprise visit and Q&A session with tennis superstar Roger Federer.

Watch the Serena Williams’ NTC session video here

View the Federer and Azarenka activation video here

Interested to find out more about Limelight’s involvement in the Serena Williams’ NTC activation? View the case study here

To find out more about Limelight’s work with the Azarenka and Federer retail activations click here

The Federer and Azarenka consumer retail activations saw 40 special guests (20 per session) invited into surprise retail activation in the Nike store Melbourne Central. The lucky few were told they were attending a session to receive a product pack valued at more than $300, which would be presented to them by a Nike expert – little did they know that this expert was current World no. 1 Victoria Azarenka or tennis superstar Roger Federer. The activations included a Q&A session, group photo and product distribution.

Limelight Sports were responsible for planning and implementing all production, operational, and participant experience and recruitment elements for the consumer retail activations.

Objectives

• To deliver an exceptional, money can’t buy experience for participants
• To attract the desired target market to the activations
• To deliver a seamless event, working to all defined timings to maximise the time available with Federer and Azarenka
• To ensure all stakeholders were completely satisfied with all production and operational elements

Approach

Limelight Sports were responsible for all production elements of the Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka consumer retail activations including AV, all operational elements including event planning and timings, venue and stakeholder liaison and staffing, as well as participant experience elements including registration and product distribution. Heavily involved in all planning phases, Limelight Sports were also responsible for participant recruitment.

Results

• Up to 20 special guests recruited for each sessions including aspiring tennis players and tennis enthusiasts who won the associated competition
• Recruitment managed in a confidential manner resulting in the creation of a ‘money can’t buy’ surprise experience for consumers. As a result quality content  was produced for online channels
• A seamless registration and product distribution process with a high level of customer service and communication at all times – as expected from the Nike  brand
• Two activations which ran to pre-determined timings, and a team which devised and implemented revised timings promptly as required
• A high level of communication maintained with all stakeholders in the lead up to the event and during the event, ensuring all were well informed and were in agreeance with arrangements

View the Federer and Azarenka activation video here

The Serena Williams’ NTC session saw the tennis superstar spend one of her first appearances in Melbourne for 2013 taking a group of 60 aspiring tennis stars and Nike competition winners through her new NTC workout. The session was the launch for the workout in Australia and included a Q&A with MC Kellie Underwood, which included three questions from the girls attending the session, and a 20 minute workout. The activation started in the Nike Melbourne Central store, driving the 60 participants into the retail store, where they registered, checked their bags and changed into their complimentary pair of shoes and Nike NTC tanks.  The workout session was held alongside the iconic clock in Shot Tower Square in Melbourne Central, which is where all elements including registration and bag check were held for the consecutive five NTC sessions. A strong media contingency were also facilitated in the NTC space.

All consecutive sessions were led by trainers Jackelyn Ho and Jackie Sherman. Participants at the additional sessions had the opportunity to trail some of Nike new shoes for the workout, and also walked away with a tank. Limelight Sports were responsible for all production, operational, and participant experience and recruitment elements for the activations.

Objectives

• To deliver an exceptional, money can’t buy experience for participants
• To attract the desired target market to the activations
• To deliver a seamless event, working to all defined timings to maximise the time available with Serena
• To ensure all stakeholders were completely satisfied with all production and operational elements

Approach

Limelight Sports were responsible for all production elements of the Serena Williams’ NTC session and consecutive sessions, including branding and staging and AV, and all operational elements including event planning and timings, venue and stakeholder liaison and staffing, as well as participant experience elements including registration, bag check, product distribution and shoe trailing. Heavily involved in all planning phases, Limelight Sports were also responsible for participant recruitment.

Results

• More than 60 participants provided with a ‘must share’ and ‘money can’t buy’ experience where they got to spend time with one of tennis’ most admirable superstars
• A high impact, visually impressive stage set up to showcase the NTC session and to leverage Serena Williams’ association with the event
• A seamless registration, bag check, product distribution and shoe trailing process with minimal wait time and a high level of customer service –as expected from the Nike  brand
• Six activations which ran according to the predetermined run sheet timings
• A high level of communication maintained with all stakeholders in the lead up to the event and during the event
• Desirable consumer engagement and content creation for Nike

View the Serena Williams’ NTC session video here

Limelight Sports is contracted to deliver the Australian Super Series, which will consist of up to six events across Australia over the coming 12 months. The Wiggle Bendigo Belter event saw Limelight Sports take on all elements of the event planning and delivery, including: budget monitoring, course design, competition management, participant communications, registration, participant services on event day including a bike mechanic, snacks and drinks available for sale and show bags, staffing, venue sourcing and management, stakeholder and supplier liaison including the Bendigo City Council, publicity support, as well as all production and logistics of the event site and course. The next event is scheduled for the Mornington Peninsula in late February early March 2013.

Wiggle is an international, award-winning online Cycle and Tri-Sport retailer currently serving customers in over 100 countries. Their aim is to ensure that cycling and tri-sports are made accessible for every level of athlete, by providing the greatest selection of products and brands through its multiple award-winning retail website and the UKs and Australia cycling event calendars.

View photos from the Wiggle Bendigo Belter event here

Interested to understand more about Limelight Sports’ involvement? View the case study here

The Wiggle Super Series Australia officially kicked off this week in Bendigo, Victoria, with the Wiggle Bendigo Belter event. Close to 300 riders turned up to challenge themselves with friends, family and fellow club riders, taking on either a fun course (85km), a standard course (125km) or an  epic course (155km). Participants registered from 7:00am, with most taking off by 8:00am to tackle the courses and to take in some of Bendigo’s picturesque scenery.

Limelight Sports is the official event management and marketing agency who have been contracted to deliver the Wiggle Super Series in Australia. Limelight is responsible for all elements of the event planning and delivery, as well as providing support in the areas of local marketing and publicity.

The series has an extremely strong following in the UK, the extension came off the back of Wiggle’s growing popularity in Australia and their desire to offer the same opportunities to get out and ride to their Australian customers.

Objectives

• To deliver an exceptional event experience for all participants to launch the Series into the Australian market
• To attract up to 300 riders to take on the three courses
• To provide challenging yet accessible courses for riders
• To successfully bring together local stakeholders and suppliers to deliver the event

Approach

Limelight Sports were responsible for all elements of the event planning  and delivery, including: budget monitoring, course design, competition management, participant communications, registration, participant services on event day including a bike mechanic, snacks and drinks available for sale and show bags, staffing (drawn from the Limelight staffing community and local volunteer organisations), venue sourcing and management, stakeholder and supplier liaison including the Bendigo City Council, publicity support, as well as all production and logistics of the event site and course.

Results

• A successful event with positive rider feedback
• Just under 300 riders taking part in the inaugural Wiggle Bendigo Belter event
• A course which participants enjoyed yet were challenged by
• Positive relationships developed with the Bendigo City Council, Strathdale Cricket Club and  local suppliers which resulted in the delivery of a great event

With both classes fully booked and lots of new Boutique faces, it was a great way to start the week off, even if we can still feel it. After the classes, tasty nibbles promoting post workout recovery were provided by Soulmate Food, as well as refreshing Vita Coco, 100% Natural Coconut Water – a Boutique favourite!

Lorna Jane Activewear  showcased their latest winter workout wear; with brightly coloured workout tops and all weather leggings, perfect for those cold winter night sessions. Participants were treated to an extra 20% off sales on the night! Everyone left with a goodie bag and a big smile.

Boutique Sport hosts exclusive fitness events for women only as well as a pop up run club. For more information on the events and Boutique Sport go to www.boutiquesport.com

Special guests Kurt Fearnley , Nathan Arkley, Richard Colman, Jake Lappin and Richard Nicholson, some of Australia’s most celebrated Paralympians, started the evening with a bang taking off on a special exhibition race around the course.

The event site included baggage storage, information services, a public catering and bar area (the Challenge Bar), corporate hospitality marquees, a finishers area where all participants entered the site through the finish line and collected a complimentary t-shirt and water bottle, as well as entertainment including a dj and big screen displaying race footage.

With many entries funded by the participant’s organisation, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge highlights the desire for today’s corporate organisations to invest in employee health and wellbeing.

View the 2012 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge video here

Dates for the 2013 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge will be released on the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge website in coming months. Visit the website also for for further information on the event, or stay in the loop with everything Corporate Challenge related via the event Facebook page.

Interested to understand more about Limelight Sports’ involvement? View the case study here

Held on November 14, 2012, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Sydney event attracted a record number of participants with more than 8,000 runners lining up to tackle the 5.6km course. All participants were representing the Sydney based organisation they are employed by, and were treated to public catering in the Challenge Bar or corporate hospitality in pre-purchased marquees post event. The event, which is in its 12^th year and is part of the global series, is a chance for organisations to promote employee health and wellbeing and to encourage social interaction and networking amongst peers.

Limelight Sports is the official event management and marketing agency who deliver the Sydney and London events, and are responsible for coordination and delivery of all elements of the event and post event hospitality and entertainment, as well as themarketing recruitment program.

Objectives

• To increase participation numbers year on year through a direct marketing program
• To deliver an exceptional overall event experience for all participants
• To deliver the event with greater innovations and efficiencies each year, meeting global Corporate Challenge Series standards, through Limelight initiatives and our supplier relationships

Approach

Limelight Sports is responsible for all elements of the event planning and delivery of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge. This includes budget management, production and logistics, venue sourcing and liaison, staffing (drawn from the Limelight staffing community and suppliers), event experience, course design and management, branding, and corporate hospitality.

The participant experience is of paramount importance, Limelight works each year to take the event to the next level to ensure these valued participants keep coming back.

Results

• A successful marketing outreach program which saw the 2012 event break all records to achieve the highest number of participants at the Sydney event over the 12 years the event has been held
• Overwhelmingly positive and unprompted feedback from participants
• New suppliers sourced and existing networks drawn upon to deliver the event with greater efficiencies than previous years

The pitch was officially opened on Monday, October 15, with local Cantabrian and All White, Ben Sigmund, handing the pitch over to the Christchurch City Council and the local community. What followed were more than 30 5-a side teams battling it out on the pitch to take out first prize, which included Nike product and tickets to the All Whites V Tahiti match. Over 150 spectators turned out to watch the competition, and were treated to a display match played out by the Futsal Whites and Mainland Futsal teams.

The pitch, now officially the property of the Christchurch City Council and the people of Christchurch, is able to moved to a new location should permanent building construction be started on the site. Nike will continue to work with New Zealand Football and Mainland Futsal to schedule ongoing tournaments and activity. The pitch will also be accessible for the local community over the summer period.

Check out the time lapse video here .