It’s always a worry when you organise an event that no one will attend.
As a keen sports participant, and as manager of the Yeovil store, it is great to have the opportunity to work with sports clubs and races in the area local to the store. It gives us the opportunity to give a little back to our customers.
For two years running we have been lucky enough to be the sports retailer of choice for the Yeovil Half Marathon, which attracts around one thousand runners to the West Country.
In the build up to the race, we invite anyone entering, to have their running technique analysed and to receive advice from the experts in all areas of running.
Previously we showcased a running gait analysis day at Goldenstones leisure centre in Yeovil and loads of people got involved; this spurred us on to develop the event further which led us to this year’s in-store event.
Events take lots of organisation but are definitely worth it – as a sports retailer we want to do more than just sell sports goods, we want to generate interest and enthusiasm amongst the communities local to our stores. As well as corresponding with the Directors for ideas, the buyers for brand information, marketing for promotional support and store managers for their experience. We work closely with our local customers to understand exactly what they want from this kind of event.
After lots of prep’ work, the ideas turned to reality and the runners evening was booked in for the 20th February. Supported by Total Buzz events, the organisers of the Yeovil half marathon, some great brands attended bringing their expert advice and product information in their field; Asics, adidas and sports nutrition brand, Science in Sport were present with bags of information about their specialist area of running.
In the run up to the evening, we shouted about the event to anyone and everyone who would listen; we had new runners, seasoned marathon veterans and charity runners who all signed up for the night
When the 20th Feb arrived the buzz in store was great. After store closing time at 5.30pm, staff members and brand experts rallied around to get the store ready for the 6pm event opening.
The layout of the store for the night included a gait analysis area, a nutritional trials area and a race map point allowing runners to have a detailed look at the route ahead of the event.
After the first few made their way in to store, the numbers grew quickly until the store was jam packed with running enthusiasts exchanging stories, advice and experiences. It was great to see new and experienced runners alike taking something away, whether it was technique advice, or race insight.
The night was a real success and remained busy throughout the evening. Those that attended were offered great advice on how to get the most of their running technically and how to make the most of their Half Marathon experience. I was really pleased by the turnout and hope to run more events in the future. So, anyone who came along, thank you for helping make it great!
One last thing, without my staff on the night, the event definitely wouldn’t have happened, so here’s a ‘big thank you’ to Steve, Scott and Kim, and of course the Yeovil half marathon race Directors, Steve E and Jody plus Anna, Jules and Matthew from Science in Sport, adidas and Asics.
Next on the events agenda for Yeovil Tony Pryce is tennis season. Bookings are coming in thick and fast from local clubs to hold a demonstration evening. We just need the weather to improve.
Want to hold an event for your club? If you are a club member and would like to get involved, or have an event idea for your local store, please let us know, we are always looking for new ways to promote sport in the community.
Written by Haydn Potts, Manager of Tony Pryce Sports in Yeovil.