UK & Ireland Running Industry Awards celebrate sector achievements

The UK & Ireland Running Industry Awards returned to Loughborough University on 9 December, celebrating brands, retailers, events, and individuals driving growth and innovation in the sector. Organized by the Running Industry Alliance (RIA) with England Athletics and RunEvents, the sold-out event honored 18 winners across categories from footwear and apparel to community impact and technology.

Top winners included ASICS for Footwear Brand of the Year, adidas for Apparel Brand, Shokz for Accessory Brand, and Science in Sport for Nutrition & Wellbeing. parkrun took Community Impact honours, whilst Garmin claimed Tech in Running. The Outstanding Contribution award went to Mel Bound of This Woman Runs.

Trends shaping 2026

Beyond the celebrations, the event and side talks spotlighted the interconnected forces reshaping the sector.

• Sustainability has evolved from aspiration to expectation, with brands racing to embed eco-friendly materials and circular models into their core offerings—driven by consumers who increasingly demand transparency and measurable environmental progress.
• Technology continues its march into the mainstream. What began with basic fitness trackers has matured into sophisticated ecosystems where wearable devices and data-driven coaching platforms deliver personalised training insights whilst building vibrant online communities around shared goals and achievements.
• Retail itself is being reimagined. The old binary of physical versus digital has given way to hybrid models where independent shops and online platforms merge experiential authenticity with digital convenience. Events, social media engagement, and community-building have become essential tools for cultivating lasting customer loyalty.
• Meanwhile, the sector’s centre of gravity is shifting towards community-centric growth. Grassroots initiatives like parkrun and charity campaigns anchor participation, but the conversation has broadened beyond pure performance. Inclusivity and mental well-being now stand alongside split times and personal bests as defining narratives of what it means to be a runner.
• Finally, the boundaries between performance and lifestyle continue to blur. Technical innovation no longer serves only elite athletes—brands are crafting products that transition seamlessly from training sessions to everyday life, appealing equally to competitive runners and casual fitness enthusiasts seeking both function and style.