Marketing industry’s charity ‘Sprintathon’ returns to raise money for cancer research

The Marketing Society is teaming up with Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up to Cancer campaign to launch the marketing industry’s annual ‘Sprintathon’ event for the third time.

The mass participation charity event has been hosted in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Direct Line Group’s former managing director of marketing and digital, Mark Evans, since 2016. This year marks the third in which it is hosted by The Marketing Society.

Brands, agencies and media owners are all invited to put a team forward for the two-hour charity event, in which teams of four will each complete a relay of 400m (100m per person) back-to-back until they collectively cover 42.2km, the distance of a marathon. More than 300 people will take part on the day.

All raised funds will be split between Stand Up To Cancer, where they will be used to fund cancer research, and The Marketing Society, where they will be used to support future marketing talent.Marketing’s 2022 ‘Sprintathon’ raises £50k for cancer research and future talent support

The Sprintathon has raised £850,000 in total over the last seven years, while The Marketing Society’s Sprintathon specifically has raised nearly £200,000 to date.

Last year’s event saw 39 brands, agencies, media owners and marketing businesses raise £52,000. Participating brands included Britvic, Just Eat, Camelot, Channel 4, TUI, Direct Line Group, ITV and Google.

There is also a competitive element to the competition, with the fastest lap last year executed by consultancy KPMG at 55 seconds.

CEO of The Marketing Society Sophie Devonshire says: “We absolutely love supporting the Sprintathon. Everyone who takes part has a huge amount of fun and it’s a terrific way to connect as an industry, for good causes and for a brilliant experience.

“If you’re in marketing, advertising or media and you are considering joining us, please don’t hesitate. Fancy dress is optional!”

This year, agencies Zenith, Wunderman Thompson, VCCP, BBH, MediaCom and Adam&EveDDB have already signed up to take part, alongside media owners Bauer Media and Global Media, and industry bodies IAB UK, the Advertising Association and Thinkbox.