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Chris Evans announces new festival that combines running with live music

Chris Evans has announced details of a brand new festival which combines running with live music and partying.

Virgin Radio breakfast host Chris launched RunFestRun yesterday morning whilst sprinting on a treadmill live on air.

 Chris and Vassos with team leader Steve Cram
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Chris and Vassos with team leader Steve Cram

Billed as ‘Britain’s biggest new running party’, the family-friendly festival will take place from May 31 to June 2 in the grounds of Bowood House, Wiltshire.

There will be a series of runs ranging from 2.5km to a half marathon during the day and music from Olly Murs, Razorlight and Reef in the evening.

Chris, 52, said: “I ran a marathon for the first time five years ago, now I’m about to complete number five.

“I trained for my first one in secret, I didn’t even tell my wife.

 Colin Jackson at Virgin Radio on the treadmill
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Colin Jackson at Virgin Radio on the treadmill

“I just started running one day and never really stopped.

“When you are a runner, the race you enter yourself into is the celebration of your training.

“Running creates this incredible adrenaline, a sense of togetherness.

“Being a human today can be crazy for so many reasons, there is so much bad stuff going on, but running brings out the best of humans.

 Singer Olly Murs will be performing at the event
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Singer Olly Murs will be performing at the eventCredit: The Mega Agency

“All those natural endorphins are amazing, you get that, and put it into a running festival and it’s going to be a hell of a party.”

Chris was joined at Virgin Radio by two teams of runners who competed to see who could complete 10k in the quickest time.

There was Team Crackson, led by Steve Cram and Colin Jackson, and Team Vash, made up of Vassos Alexander and Chris’s wife Natasha.

The festival will run over three days and involve a mix of organised runs, live music, food stalls, gym classes, bars and talks from some of the UK top food writers.

 Festival goers will arrive on ‘Feel Good Friday’ for a Sunset Shuffle run
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Festival goers will arrive on ‘Feel Good Friday’ for a Sunset Shuffle runCredit: Getty - Contributor

With runs ranging from a 2.5km fun run through to a half marathon, the idea is that, whether a brand new runner, or a season professional, there is something for every member of the family.

Colin Jackson said: “People can lose sight of the fun side of exercise and running sometimes.

“This morning’s event, live on the radio, shows what an amazing atmosphere can be created through running.

“This is what Run Fest Run is going to be, but bigger and better.”

 The radio host ran the marathon for the first time five years ago
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The radio host ran the marathon for the first time five years agoCredit: Rex Features

Vassos Alexander, co-host of RunFestRun added, “It’s basically my dream event. Chris and I developed the idea because we just want people to run, have fun and have a party. Three shiny happy days with everyone going home with a great big grin on their face.”

Festival goers will arrive on ‘Feel Good Friday’ for a Sunset Shuffle run before performances from Reef and Razorlight.

Super Saturday will offer a range of running events followed by music from Ten Tonnes, The Coral, Faithless DJ set and Olly Murs.

Sunday will focus around the Bugwood fancy dress bug themed fun run aimed at families.

There will also be sporting speakers, mindfulness mentors and authors - including Fearne Cotton, Melissa Hemsley and Jo Pavey.

    • Tickets go on sale on 21st March via
Stephen Merchant jokes he's becoming pro wrestler on Chris Evans' Breakfast Show
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