Providing over 17,500 sq. ft. of cover for Reading Half Marathon
The 39th Reading Half Marathon made a big return on November 7th, 2021, after nearly a two-year break due to the pandemic. This time it was backed by a brand new sponsor – Unleashed Performance.
Making the half marathon a whole lot greener
Race organiser Goldline Events selected the Reading-based sports nutrition, activewear and gym brand in an environmentally friendly effort to keep event suppliers more local.
For the same reason, they approached Time Marquees based on our reputation for providing high-quality, cost-effective marquee hire for sporting events. From a local Home Counties HQ, our marquee hire company in Berkshire was able to meet all their requirements for marquee cover in a cost-effective way.
Running for cover
Our team of marquee hire experts installed nine quality marquees and tents totalling 17,534 square feet. That’s enough space to fit over four hundred king size beds. Not that anyone was doing any napping that day!
Marquees were used to:
Temporary structures of various sizes from our extensive range were placed around the 13.1-mile route. It starts in Green Park and then takes in Reading town centre, the beautiful grounds of the University campus, and some Berkshire countryside.
Successful runners ultimately enjoyed an Olympic-style finish inside The Select Car Leasing Stadium (previously The Madejski Stadium), home of Reading FC. We provided pagodas (min marquees) inside the stadium, too.
Agile and flexible marquee hire for sports events
As a family-run business with a wide range of equipment and capabilities, we’ve got the flexibility to adapt our service around our clients’ schedule. We also have years of experience!
There was plenty of time before the race for us to put most of the event marquees up. However, we had to wait until a protective trackway was installed in the stadium before we could set the tents up in there.
That meant that the team had to install those marquees late in the afternoon the day before the event and remove them immediately afterwards. However, we’re used to dealing with all sorts of space, weather, safety, and security challenges. A late finish is no match for our limber team!
A Sir, an MP, a dinosaur, a superhero and a flamingo walk into a tent…
Or should that be a pub? Runners in The Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon could get a free beer to celebrate their amazing achievement. This was thanks to another business from the local community, Phantom Brewing.
Other event partners included Green Park, Cancer Research UK, Hilton, Inchcape Reading BMW and Greatest Hits Radio.
After a forced hiatus, there was a real atmosphere of fun in the air. Quirky costumes lifted spirits and a few famous faces made an appearance, too. Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, joined the thousands of runners who took part in the race. Sir John Madejski himself was at the finish line.
In April 2022, Reading Half Marathon will celebrate its 40th birthday and we hope to be part of this terrific event again.
Talk to us about marquee hire for sporting events in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Call our Wokingham-based team on 0118 973 6444 or email hello@time-marquees.co.uk. We also supply marquees for special occasions such as private parties, garden parties, weddings and corporate events.