Following the news of the stand-alone website for The Running Conference 2023 #TRC23, Running Industry Alliance (RIA) has announced the hosts for #TRC23. Please meet Matt, Vanessa, Andy and Sarah!

The Running Conference 2023 #TRC23 takes place from 10th to 12th December 2023 at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough University, and early-bird registration for the member-only conference is open. 

Matt, who hosts and produces the “Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic”, was one of the hosts at The Running Conference 2022 and returns for 2023. Matt is a professional Sports Announcer and Commentator with over 12 years of experience of commentating at running, cycling and triathlon events across the UK, and with over 25 years experience of sales, sport marketing, specialist running PR. 

Vanessa will join Matt at TRC23 this year, with a reputation of being an energetic and dynamic presenter. Having graduated in Performing Arts, she's honed her skills presenting and hosting live events, from the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012 to local 5Ks, marathons and triathlons across the UK over the past 15 years. She has a passion for live commentary at events as well as hosting and facilitating virtual events and courses worldwide. 

New for 2023, RIA has partnered with The Running Channel as official co-host of #TRC23. The Running Channel is a Foundation Member of RIA, with a mission to bring great content to those who love to run, no matter their ability or experience. As a video publisher with the fastest growing audience of runners in the world, their flagship YouTube channel has over 600,000 subscribers and 2,000,000 monthly channel views.

Andy, CEO of The Running Channel and Presenter, took up running professionally in his twenties and competed in two Olympic Games over 1500m, making the final in Beijing in 2008 and finishing the same year ranked number one in the world over a mile. Andy is Co-Founder of The Running Channel, a well-known Presenter, and passionate about helping runners from all over the world. 

Sarah is Production Lead at The Running Channel and will join Andy on stage at TRC23. Sarah is in charge of producing all video content as well as hosting The Running Channel Podcast and presenting everything from how-to videos to epic running challenges. From chasing a new 5k PB, to running her first marathon and even beyond that, to taking on her first ultramarathon in Thailand, Sarah has used her experiences to inspire a global audience of runners of all abilities. 

The Running Conference #TRC23 is the annual RIA Members in-person meet up and features curated content built for members of RIA including conference sessions, panel discussions, activations, “first look” market research, data and insights, round table discussions, plenty of networking opportunities and celebrations of the running industry. 

The content is based on RIA and Members' work from 2023 to 2028 and will focus on the following areas: The Market Place; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health and Wellbeing; Sustainability; Research, Data and Insights; Future.

Details about speakers, panel and round table discussions, activations as well as further Official Partners and Supporters will be announced over the coming weeks and months. 

Co-Leads Rebecca Richardson and Jonathan Midwood from RIA said: “We are excited to unveil the hosts for The Running Conference 2023. Matt and Vanessa are well-known and much respected commentators in the running industry. It’s fantastic to also have partnered with The Running Channel and we are looking forward to seeing Andy and Sarah on the stages at Loughborough University this December. The Running Channel has a passion for the joy of running that brings everyone together, and this joy of running and all its benefits will be shared by everyone at TRC23.” 

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) is an independent National Trade Organisation built for the UK & Ireland Running Industry with the aim to collectively help its Members to drive the Running Industry forward to improve the Sport and Business of Running. 

RIA membership applications are open now, and anyone wanting to be at The Running Conference 2023 should complete the application form or contact membership@runningindustryalliance.com to apply to join RIA. 

RIA Members and Alliance Partners can be viewed here. 

For further details about Running Industry Alliance, membership and all other info please go to www.runningindustryalliance.com and follow the LinkedIn open company page, or you can find all TRC23 info on this website.