Credit: Electric Run Ireland
On 22 MARCH, Dublin’s RDS will play host to a 5k run with a difference. The first of its kind in Europe, the Electric Run combines the music and lighting of an “electric wonderland” with the healthy lifestyle promoted by running.
We spoke to Angela Geraghty of Run Ireland, who are organising the event, about what people should expect on the night.
Hi Angela. So what makes the Electric Run different to other 5ks?
First of all, the props are designed by Disney technicians. Everytime you get to a stage in the run where you might be feeling a bit tired, there’s something else that will encourage you on because you’ll see another structure in front of you that is beautiful to look at.
The music is also a big part of it. Upbeat dance music is played all the way along the route in different locations.
Can you tell me a bit about how it got started?
Electric Run is an American organisation. The guy that’s behind is Dan Hill. He set up this event called Ragnar and that snowballed so he decided to develop the Electric Run.
He’s a young guy who is mad into sports and having a good time. He’s got a whole team of people around him now who are the same — highly motivated and all about having fun.
They’ve taken the concept of the Electric Run all around America and then wanted to move into Europe.
They asked Active, who are an American company, about finding a partner and they suggested Run Ireland. We’re proud that it will be the very first Electric Run in Europe.
Credit: Electric Run Ireland
So it’s more about having fun than winning then?
It’s not competitive at all. There are no chips or times recorded. The whole point of it is to get people to be more active by combining sport with a really good night out. It’s for all ages because you can walk, run or dance your way through the 5k.
We expect that nobody will be bothered with their times as they’ll be stopping to take selfies as there are fantastic photo opportunities with the colours and props.
Where will the course be situated?
It uses every nook and cranny in the RDS. Part of it will be indoor, part will be outdoor and we’ll be running through the back of the stadium stand.
When you’ve got structures like that with the lighting and all of the equipment and the props we can really make something effective out of that. A dark alley becomes a really magical lane full of light and sound. We’re trying to apply to every sense as you’re running through.
What will runners meet at the finish line?
There will be a DJ in the Main Hall in Simmonscourt so people can go in and party there for another hour or you can leave. We haven’t announced the DJ yet as they want to sell the event on the event and not the DJ. I believe they will have a very high profile DJ for London.
YouTube credit: Electric Run
How much is registration?
€38 each or €140 for a team of four.
And do you get anything else for that?
You get an Electric Run t-shirt, shutter shades, glow sticks, and we’ve got a guy called Stick Man who will be going around in a luminous outfit throwing freebies into the crowd all the time.
Are runner encouraged to dress up?
Absolutely they are encouraged to. There’s even a section on our website entitled: ‘What To Wear’.
(That section reads: We invite you to bring your creativity, smile, laugh, and leave dull at home. It is the collective light and creativity of the thousands of participants that brings this event to life! You are coming to have fun and experience something magical. Look the part! If it is bright-coloured, blinks, shines, glows, or looks like something from another planet, it’s perfect! Put it on and come celebrate with us!)
Will alcohol be sold on the night?
The RDS are opening one of their bars but they are going to control that.
And what do you say to people who might be thinking about taking drugs at the event?
It’s very clear on our website that there is a zero tolerance policy to drugs. We’ll have quite a lot of security on the night and everyone will be checked going into the RDS. It’s the same policy as any other event.
It’s a fun, clean, family-orientated event but at the same time I can imagine there will be a lot of teenagers and young people there as well.
Credit: Electric Run Ireland
There are seven weeks until the big night. How is planning going?
It’s going really well. The RDS have been brilliant. We have an awful lot of experience ourselves because we’re also the organisers of the Connemara Marathon. This is a cinch compared to that!
We have partnered with Johnny Donnelly of Arcana Productions who was responsible for organising all the in-port stopovers for the Volvo Ocean Race.
Then there’s Ray O’Connor who is the race director of the Connemara Marathon and also of Run Ireland so between the two of them they are accomplished.
It will be a fun way to get runners’ partners, kids and friends who usually don’t go running, to try it and have fun. Maybe when they do it they might take up more serious events.
What has demand been like so far?
It has been brilliant. We’ve only advertised on Facebook so far and we’re nearly halfway there I terms of numbers registered. We’re expecting 7,000 on the night.
We’ve got our TV campaign to start yet so we’re expecting it to sell out. It’s an amazing the power of Facebook because we have seen it go viral.
To register and for more information, visit ElectricRun.ie or their Facebook page
€38 for a 5k is obscene. Support a local athletics club and go to their far less expensive runs.
Looks like fun but no way would I pay nearly 40 euros for a 5k, I paid that for a half marathon a few weeks ago. If you want to get into running save your money and do the free Parkruns.
I’d only pay to run if it was for charity,€38 is a joke!
What about running for Rehab? We could give the CEO a nice pay rise.
A joke 38e for a fun run
These company organised events take money away from hard working running clubs who organise their own fundraising events.
People should look around for other options – support a local club!
Na sorry. Id rather do something better like the Samsung night run. 30 quid but the goody bags excellent, the atmosphere is cracking and you won’t attract go******** like this one.
Yep, folks the Nightrun is the standard bearer for these type of events. Great t-shirt and medal too.
Will be some bangers at that
Not really understanding this. It’s sounds a bit silly when you compare it to the Irish cancer society relay for life events that happen around the country. I was at the UCC one last year and it’s teams of people who take turns to walk the maradyke track for 24 hours for charity. Each group has a campsite and there’s loads of refreshments and activities like Zumba and stuff to keep you awake. One of the best things I’ve ever done and all the money goes to the ICS.
I have done a lot of charity events including some grueling long distance endurance stuff. I think this is more a social event something instead of going out in town. You also get glow sticks, t-shirt and other stuff I not disagreeing that is still pricey but it doesn’t appear to be a charity event.
I had already committed to running with a group of friends before I got to the payment page. €38 before €4 something ‘processing fee’ and unfortunately all the glow sticks etc are extra again!bive done a good few charity runs but this isn’t even for a cause. Topping €10 per kilometre to run :-( I hope it’s fun but I probably can’t afford to do it again.
I’ve been checking out these events and it’s really way more than just a 5k – look at the video on their website – there is a full music festival production on a 5k route. Hopefully more people will join their local athletics club after getting a taste for running at this event…
Nobody else in Europe would be bothered with a concept this daft.
London is next, after Dublin. Then Amsterdam.
Yeah, it will be a small crowd of daft paddies in each city pi$$ed up to their eyeballs.
Young people are great
Me and my friends entered as a team today and it cost €35 each, I think the lower price is available until Midnight tomorrow. Can’t wait it’s going to be epic! #ElectricRun
Looks like fun in the pictures – rave to the grave.
This looks amazing. Something different to do…..would rather pay to be healthy and active than spend a night out on the piss.
“the unique 5k event which will is the first of its kind in Europe”?
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