RPM produce the ultimate experience for runners of the Virgin Money Marathon
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Virgin Money has partnered with RPM for the 6th successive year to deliver their experience at the Virgin Money London Marathon Expo, taking place this week at London’s ExCel in the run up to the marathon on Sunday.
RPM has worked with design agency Four23 to deliver the 37,073 sq. ft.brand experience that takes up a third of the UK’s biggest running Expo. The 2015 Exhibition was launched on Wednesday 22nd by marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe and is open through to Saturday attracting around 80,000 visitors. It is the first part of the runner experience where participants register and collect their race number making it an integral touch point for the Virgin Money brand. This year marks the 35th London Marathon, and on entering the Virgin Money experience visitors will be taken through a snapshot of footage from past races shown on television screens.
For the first time this year there are 2 stages:
‘The Expert’s Corner’ features everything runners need to know about race day, tips on pacing, nutrition, hydration and mental preparation. Speakers include top marathon coach Martin Yelling.
‘The Virgin Money Stage’ features a programme high energy entertainment and interviews with celebrities including Olympic rower James Cracknell and racing legend Iwan Thomas and elite athletes, including Tatyana McFadden, David Weir, Wilson Kipsang and world record holder Dennis Kimetto. The exhibit showcase’s some the famous costumes that runners have completed the course in over the years, including Save the Rhino’s Rhino, The Angel of the North and Richard Branson’s wings.
Visitors are encouraged to have their picture taken in the Virgin Money Giving photo booths and asked to write messages of inspiration and support for their loved ones before pegging them on to the #extramile time line which will become a special feature in the venue. Images will also be uploaded to a Virgin Money microsite where they can be shared via Facebook and Twitter using hashtags, allowing runners and families to share their stories online.
Dom Robertson, managing director at RPM said: “We are proud to again be working with Virgin Money on such a special and large scale event. Producing an experience that is the first point of contact for 37,000 runners that provides them with support, information and inspiration ahead of the race is a big responsibility which has to be delivered flawlessly.
Andrew Nicholson, head of sponsorship at Virgin Money said: “We knew RPM would deliver a first class event that would showcase what we are all about not only as a company, but as a supporter of this great event, which is an integral part of each Virgin Money London Marathon runner’s journey.”
The Virgin Money London Marathon will take place on Sunday the 26th April with over 37,000 participants set to cross the finish line.
