The UAE’s first dedicated running show launches in Dubai on 3-4 October 2026
The Run Show brings together iconic speakers, expert advice, performance insights, experiential activations, product launches, competitions and plenty of fun.
Created by the award-winning team behind run shows across Europe and the US, this event will unite, inspire and empower runners across the GCC and beyond. Perfectly timed at the start of the 2026/27 running season, it’s the ultimate destination for runners seeking the latest product innovations alongside technical and performance expertise and inspirational talks from global running greats.
Connect with your community
The Run Show is powered by the people who love to run. Expect:
- 8,000+ visitors and over 100 exhibitors across two days.
- Ambassadors who personify grit, resilience and the joy of running, from record-holders and explorers to everyday runners finding their stride.
- A vibrant hub for all abilities and ages, across track, trail, ultra and everything in between.
From the Run Café to the Run Club Hub, you’ll find a place to meet friends, trade tips, discover new routes, or just soak up the energy.
Education and inspiration from global icons
Two main stages will keep you motivated and informed:
- Running Skills Theatre: learn how to train smarter, recover faster, fuel better and avoid injury.
- Inspiration Stage: hear brutally honest stories from Olympic legends, ultra-runners, explorers and community heroes – sharing the mindset, passion and grit that fuel their journeys.
Expect big names such as Sir Mo Farah, Paula Radcliffe, Dean Karnazes and many more.
Interactive features
Get hands-on throughout the show:
- Events Village: discover races, challenges and adventures around the world.
- CPR workshops: practical demos on life-saving basics.
- Children’s zone: obstacle courses and activities to keep young runners moving.
- Strength & Conditioning Zone, Pilates for Runners and HIIT workouts: boost power, balance and running form.
- New to running clinics: expert tips for newcomers to build confidence and skills.
Stand activations
Experience live demos, clinics and testing zones:
- Run Clinic: biomechanical analysis and movement workshops to help you stay injury-free.
- Technical expertise: gait analysis, VO₂ max, sweat and heart-rate testing.
- Bra Fitting Bar: improve posture, stride and comfort.
- Recovery Zone: from ice baths to infrared therapy.
- Trail & OCR zones: skills, stories and challenges for off-road enthusiasts.
Community features
Find your tribe and recharge:
- Run Café: refuel, swap stories and snap a selfie with your running heroes.
- Run Club Hub: meet Dubai’s most active running groups and explore membership options.
- Conquer the Mega-Mill: challenge yourself (or your Club) on a giant treadmill.
- VIP Lounge: network with speakers, ambassadors and fellow runners in a relaxed setting.
About the organisers
The Run Show is produced by Raccoon Media Group, creators of multiple award-winning run shows in the UK, Europe and the US. Recognised for innovation, community focus and outstanding visitor experiences, Raccoon has collected honours from the Association of Event Organisers and Exhibition News Awards – including Best Consumer Show and Best Content Programme.
Their mission is simple: to connect people with their passions through unforgettable live events.
About Us
Raccoon Media Group Ltd was founded in 2018 with the launch of multi-award-winning The National Running Show and over the next few years went on to launch many popular consumer events in health and wellbeing markets.
The business has expanded significantly since its inception and is now a dynamic, scaled, high-growth media business focused on mobilising passion-led B2C and B2B communities across the globe. Our events and media properties deliver year-round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying audiences.
Raccoon is entrepreneurial, fast-paced and disruptive. As a business we question the status quo, we invest in exceptional people, we operate with a clear purpose and deliver sustainable events that directly meet the needs of our audiences in a way that ignites and bolsters the industries in which we operate.
National Running Show
31 January 2026
Our flagship event, this is the UK’s leading B2C running exhibition held at The NEC. We look forward to welcoming runners back to this show in 2026.
THE Boston Run & OUTDOOR EXPO
28 March 2026
This is New England’s largest event for anyone passionate about running, trail running, hiking, camping, overlanding, fishing, water sports and the general outdoor lifestyle.
National Outdoor Expo
21 March 2026
The National Outdoor Expo is a utopia for outdoor enthusiasts and provides all of the inspiration, kit, tech, nutrition and advice needed to get outside and get active.
OUR AWARD-WINNING EVENTS
The National Running Show awards include:
Association of Event Organisers Awards
2025 ESG Initiative of the Year
2025 Independent Organiser of the Year > 20 Employees
2025 Marketing Campaign of the Year – Consumer Show
2025 Best Consumer Show
2024 Best Consumer Show
2022 Best Consumer Show and Marketing Campaign of the Year
2021 Best Consumer Show
2021 Best Lockdown Initiative
2020 Best Consumer Show
2020 Innovation Award
2018 Best Consumer Show Launch
Exhibition News Awards
2025 Best Content Programme
2023 Best Consumer Show
2023 Best Visitor Engagement - EN Indy’s
2022 Best Consumer Show
2020 Best Covid Lockdown Fundraising Initiative
2019 Best Show Feature
2018 Best Launch Event (Trade or Consumer)
2018 Best Show Director