Run to the Beat powered by Nike + brings the music festival atmosphere to runners at the O2 Arena
The sea of yellow t-shirt clad runners brightened the day at The 02 Arena for London’s only music half marathon – Run to the Beat powered by Nike+. 18,500 runners wrapped up against the cold and were rewarded with music from over 30 of today’s best music acts including DJ Fresh, Reggie Yates and Jameela Jamil.
Yates kick-started the event and got runners jumping with motivational music tracks and shout outs to the crowd as they set off on the 13.1 mile course. The DJ, who played at the event for the second year running, was thrilled to be involved.
He said, “It’s fantastic to be back at Run to the Beat powered by Nike+, it’s such a privilege to be here and motivate fellow runners as they head off on the course. It’s the atmosphere that makes this event so special, with the music around the course and beat pushing people forward.“
Runners experienced the full party atmosphere at each mile of the Docklands course – which stretches out to Woolwich, through scenic Greenwich Park and back to the O2 Arena – with sounds from the best in Urban, R’n’B, House, Hip Hop and Dancehall music. DJ’s who kept the beat going for the runners included Nihal, Bobby Friction, Ras Kwame, Panjabi Hit Squad, Jaymo & Andy George, Jean Genie, Edit/Select (DJ Set), Ben Osborne, Dan Price, Hutch, DJ Scar, Drumline, Rhythms of the City, Boy Cloud Kid, Steven Howells, and The Other Tribe, all provided in conjunction with the event’s musical partner, City Showcase.
Headline act DJ Fresh, one of the world’s most influential producers in drum & bass, rounded off the festival vibe bringing the runners home as they pushed their personal best across the finish line. DJ Fresh also known as Dan Stein, is leading the new wave of British dance artists who are spearheading ‘generation bass’. With two No.1 singles, two sold out UK live tours and over 1.5 million sales, Fresh is at the vanguard of the biggest youth music explosion in two decades.
Following his set, DJ Fresh said, “I absolutely loved it, I had so much fun. I realised when I saw all the people coming back from the run that this is my kind of crowd, people with mad energy who love dancing, music and running.”
DJ Fresh, Reggie Yates, Jameela Jamil and other DJs who performed on race day took part in an exclusive Nike+ FuelBand contest. DJs Plasticthumbs earned the most NikeFuel with 8958 by mixing it up and cheering on the crowd and so was crowned NikeFuel Champion for making it count on race day.
DJ Fresh, who is also a keen runner, added, “I use to swim a lot but I couldn’t find a pool near my house so I starting running instead and found that I really enjoyed it. I live in the country and love running outside with the fresh air and scenery. You really feel your progress when you run outside which is so much better than a treadmill.”
“Personally, I couldn’t run without music, it drives me further and adds a positive vibe to my exercise. Run to the Beat powered by Nike+ just makes so much sense, I can really relate to sport and music together, it just goes hand in hand.”
Amongst the runners who took part was Norman Cook, aka Fat Boy Slim, and Jules Oliver, wife to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who joined the thousands of supporters lining the 13.1 mile route.
Upon finishing his set Reggie Yates said, “If you’re thinking about doing next year and haven’t done anything about it yet, sort it out – the event is amazing!”
To register for next year, visit http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk
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To see highlights from last year’s event youtube.com/TheRuntotheBeat
To find out more or register for next year, visit http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk
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