On the 13th June 2022, Up and Running turned 30 years old so throughout June we organised a range of events for the whole company to celebrate in style.  

To start off our birthday celebrations each store went out and bought birthday cake and toasted a happy birthday to U&R. Afterall, what’s a birthday without cake? 

But the fun didn’t stop there …  

Claire, Marketing Executive, organised a weeklong quiz in partnership with our brands to giveaway a range of fantastic birthday presents which included; London 10K places, Betty’s hamper, 1 hour coaching session with Nick Anderson, Puma running shoes, Under Armour running shoes, Saucony goody bag and event day, an extra days holiday, pizza Friday and more!   

 The birthday celebrations continued ...

Before Covid, we hosted annual meetings with our managers to gain insight and feedback into the upcoming seasons with our brands. So, 2022 seemed a good time to re-introduce the tradition but with a twist, a birthday twist.   

All store managers and Assistant Managers with over 6 years’ service were invited to travel to Masham, Harrogate to celebrate our 30th birthday with our owners, managing directors, head office, franchisees and some of our brands at the Black Sheep Brewery. We started off with a run from New Balance where everyone received a pair of New Balance shoes to take home followed by beer and cake in the beer garden and sunshine.   

We then hosted our birthday party in the Black Sheep Brewery with a photo booth, pool tournament and lots and food, drink and cake following all night. It was truly celebrated in style. Each attendee received a birthday party bag to commemorate the momentous occasion, which was filled with Yorkshire goodies from Harrogate Tipple, Mighty Fine, H2K, Harrogate Chocolate factory and goodies from our brands including a Puma water bottle and nutrition from Nick Gracie.   

During the day Pressio, Ronhill and New Balance talked us through their upcoming seasons and all the inside scoop on their latest technologies as well as internal talks from Marketing and Pete on Dartfish.   

By the end of the trip, each individual went home with a bespoke birthday Ronhill and Pressio t-shirt, accompanied by a Pressio water bottle, a birthday mug and New Balance keyrings.   

As much as we would have loved to host all our teams at Masham, it just wasn’t possible so to keep the celebrations going we invited all our store teams to go out for a celebration meal on Up and Running.   

We had an excellent time celebrating our birthday in Masham, but don't just take our word for it, see what our managers has to say.

“It was great to meet up with such a large proportion of the Up & Running family, catching up with old colleagues, the team in our head office and new faces across the growing stores. Spending a few days learning about the direction of the company, exciting upcoming projects but also getting out on the Yorkshire trails and enjoying good food, drink and games was a real treat! Highlights included a run with some of New Balance Manchester's (friendly!) pro athletes, a masterclass with Alison from CSPC Physiotherapy and touring Black Sheep's brewery line (a local Yorkshire business also turning 30 this year!)”  

"Always a great event on the up & Running work calender. This years AGM didn't disappoint. Let's face it why wouldn't you want to spend 3 days in the beautiful  town of masham north Yorkshire, running through the countryside. Being stationed at the Black sheep brewery celebrating our 30th birthday whilst talking about all things running old and new"  

Ricky, East Sheen Store Manager   

“To celebrate 30 years since the company’s founding, we all headed to Masham to be hosted by Black Sheep brewery. Waiting for us was few days of group bonding, beautiful running through some of the greatest views Yorkshire has to offer, as well as a few drinks from the Black Sheep’s famous casks. The village’s pubs and guest houses opened their arms out to us and it was a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the city. This event is but a taste of the unique culture at Up and Running offers. A family business at its core, Dennis and Gillian led the celebrations with all the enthusiasm that has been a keystone in developing a fledgling business three decades ago into a thriving hub that is the centre of many towns and city’s running community. It is this working culture that has kept me in the company for nearly 13 years and I hope to be here for many more”  

Andy, York Store Manager   

“There's nothing better than getting back together with the company after spending so long apart. On the 27th June we were invited over to the market town of Masham, where the company celebrated our 30th Birthday. 

With a mixture of product training; we met founder of our new sustainable clothing brand, Pressio. Company updates; marketing updates, social media update, interaction with the company's owners, and lots of food & drink! 

The organisation that went into celebrating our 30th birthday was fantastic. It must have been very difficult in organising 50 energised adults, keeping us entertained and informed, and on schedule - hats off to our head office for that one. 

We learned through the day, the technical differences in fabrics that provide the wicking properties of running clothing. How sustainability production works, and how much a brand (like Pressio) puts into their research and sustainability projects, to create products which are as eco friendly as possible!  

Not to mention the special treat of the black sheep brewery tour. We took the journey around the brewery discovering its origins, and how black sheep beer is made through its unique process.”  

Adam, Leeds City Centre Store Manager   

"I have never worked for a company where the bosses genuinely care about their staff. Being given the opportunity to meet up as a whole company, share ideas, connect with brands, socialise, and be part of a great event, and in this ever-growing business alongside the owners and directors is a real pleasure. This is just one aspect that really helps me get up every morning, lace up my shoes, and want to go to work"  

Nicola, Basingstoke Store Manager