NN Running
The second edition of the MA RA TH ON Worldwide Team Relay helped further solidify the global appeal of the virtual event as more than 70,000 participants united to over the weekend of May 22-23. Launched last year by the NN Running Team together with Maurten and NN Group to provide runners with an opportunity to compete in a safe manner in a world gripped by a global pandemic, the concept once again proved a big hit. Over the course of the weekend runners from more than 177 countries came together to #RuneAsOne.
The relay offered runners the chance to each complete 10.5km in teams of four – comprising of the total marathon distance. Each team member tracked their run on Strava with the cumulative time making up the total finish time for each team.
Another added bonus to the event is that each entered team has an opportunity to be paired with world-class athletes from the NN Running Team such as Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, Geoffrey Kamworor, and Joshua Cheptegei. The elite performers offered tips and advice to their teammates plus the added benefit of profiting from their eye-popping ability within the team.
One of the team members based in the US about meeting marathon star Eliud Kipchoge: “It was an incredible experience. I have run marathons all over and of my entire running history, but this were the best 30 minutes of my running career. I will always remember this.”
Joshua Cheptegei met his team from India, his ream responded: “This experience has provided a lifetime of inspiration and what a fun way to get to know the NN Running Team!”
For a second consecutive year MA RA TH ON proved an overwhelming success as the world came together to celebrate the joy of running as a team.
Seeing the overwhelming numbers and positive feedback, it goes to show how many people have been looking forward to competing in a running event again and to just have a great time with friends again while running as one. We loved seeing our NN Running Team athletes getting the chance to run alongside their fans as if they were teammate.
Jos Hermens director of the NN Running Team: “We started MA RA TH ON due to the restrictions of coronavirus, to give runners an alternative for all the cancelled races. We believe that bringing people together around the world, to run, will always be an inspiring goal. The interaction between the athletes of the NN Running Team and participants around the world will hopefully inspire many people to start running and make them believe they can achieve their own goals. I am proud that we are the host of an event spreading positive energy to so many people, of course we hope to meet many runners at the start line again soon.”
Olympic Champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge: “It made me incredibly proud to see the world running as one again. People from all over the world, from all nationalities and backgrounds, stood on their start lines alone, but united. Everyone who ran their 10.5km, you were part of a team, who together completed a marathon in this global celebration of running. I ran with my teammates from New York, it emphasises that running truly is global.”
Remco Barbier, Head of Branding NN Group said: “Also the second edition of MA RA TH ON was a great success, with so many runners from so many nationalities running together as one. Without physically being together, running in a team with friends or family makes it really special to join. Once again MA RA TH ON has proven that running is a team sport. Runners came from 160 (check) countries and from so many different age groups, at NN we are a proud supporter of all runners!”
“This is what we wanted. All over the planet, runners got together and ran thousands of beautiful races. We hope that it gave people an opportunity to unite – and tackle a challenge together. For us at Maurten, this is truly inspiring.” said Olof Sköld, CEO Maurten.
Follow the NN Running Team social channels for updates, information and behind the scenes footage: @NNRunningTeam
