Marathons, triathlons, open water swims, cycle races, fun runs, colour runs, mud runs, obstacle dashes, and all manner of fancy dress challenges… Anybody who has ever attended a mass participation event, as a spectator, volunteer or participant, will appreciate the marathon task of event organisers. Whether they realise it or not, they will have probably experienced an event marquee solution from GL events! Event marquees for the Great Run Company GL events is no stranger to this diverse and competitive industry. Among our portfolio of clients is The Great Run Company, formerly Nova, who we have supported for many years. The organisation is responsible for some of the UK’s most iconic televised mass participation and sporting events, attracting more than 300,000 participants, including the world’s greatest athletes, every year.
Its Great North Run, which this year takes place on Sunday 11 September 2016, is the UK’s biggest running event, with 57,000 participants including elite competition athletes, Olympians and Paralympians, families, international visitors, celebrities and competitors from the length and breadth of the UK. Its sponsors and partners are among the best-know household names in sport and leisure; while runners take part in order to raise funds for hundreds of charities.
London 2012 prompts sports marquees
In 2012, The Great Run Company recognised the London Olympics as an opportunity to upgrade its brand image and operational infrastructure; a move that led to GL events UK being contracted as official supplier of sports marquees across its portfolio of more than 40 sporting events.
This partnership meant consistent costs, quality and service delivery for the organisation and its customers. The high quality of our kit and customer service, as well as our reliable stock-holding, event expertise and financial stability, all contributed to GL events, a tried and trusted supplier, winning the business.
Great North Run event structure hire
We supply more than 10,000sqm of event marquees to the Great Run Company’s flagship Great North Run. These are erected along the route and include its charity village, an operational base for more than 80 charitable organisations.
Other temporary event structure hire solutions that we provide include:
- Hospitality zones
- Media centres
- Elite athletes’ shower, massage and changing facilities
- Field hospitals
- Security and administration points
- Bag drop-off points
Temporary equipment and interiors, including power distribution, lighting, heating, flooring, furniture and toilets are also provided by GL events.
Event marquees that ‘bring people together’
Keith Bishop, director of GL events Snowdens, explained: “We enjoy meeting the various challenges posed by such a large and wide-ranging contract; from weather conditions on the wind-swept South Shields cliff tops, to the rapid build and removal demands posed by operations which take place throughout town centres and popular tourist destinations.
“It’s great to be part of such a successful schedule of events, which truly brings people together. In 2015, the success of the organisation saw Nova rebranded as The Great Run Company, a name which is synonymous with quality mass participation experience. We at GL events look forward to enhancing and enabling the event for years to come,” he added.
We’d like to wish the very best of luck to everyone who’ll be running in the Great North Run, or any other Great Run Company event, from everyone here at GL events.
GL events offers event structure hire and supplies first class event marquees, from traditional pole tents, to contemporary aluminium framed structures and giant marquees, capable of accommodating up to 15,000 people. Whatever your requirement and whatever your application – whether it’s a country show, trade show, festival, exhibition, graduation or sporting event, talk to GL events to find the ideal solution.
