About us

Running Imp are the experts in running and mass participation event supplies, providing everything event organisers need to make their event a success.

Predominantly supplying equipment to running events, we stock everything from event signage, branding and competitor identification to finisher's medals, mementoes, trophies and awards. Beyond our stock products, we also provide a unique approach to memorabilia through Bespoke Medals. Bespoke Medals utilises our Free Design Service to help organisers create their ideal personalised medals, pin badges and more.

We pride ourselves on our reputation, built on maintaining our values - Service, Advice, Choice and Value. Now into our 35th year, we're thrilled to have extended those same values to charities, councils, schools, and other national and international organisations.

We’re working hard to reduce our environmental impact and to present our clients with the most sustainable options for their events.

We continuously review our processes, our products, our packaging and our supply chain to ensure we are as ‘green’ as possible. We’re proud of what we have achieved so far but are committed to doing even more

These are some of the measures we have taken:

Our medals

We can now provide 100% recycled zinc metal medals upon request whilst Our standard zinc metals are 95% recyclable. All our wooden medals are FSC approved.

Our wooden medals are ethically sourced and our wood types approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Our ribbons

Our ribbons are made using non-toxic inks and we offer recyclable heat transfer and RPET yarn – produced from recycled plastic – versions.

Our recycling scheme

We have launched a partnership with a Local Recycling Business which allows us to take back any metal medals which may be left over from your event and ensure they are put to sustainable use.

Our packaging

We’re conscious of plastics and are looking to minimise or remove their use wherever we can. Our standard packaging for bespoke medals and pin badges is bulk packed plastic free mainly in tissue paper and RPET individual packaging is also available upon request.

Our packaging is sourced, manufactured and recycled using renewable energy and we seek to re-use packaging which comes to us from our suppliers.

Transport

We always encourage Sea freight rather than air freight to limit carbon emissions.

We group together Sea shipments to fill full 20ft/40ft containers fortnightly rather than LCL (Less than container) daily.

All our Freight forwarders are a member of the clean cargo strategy – an organisation to reduce unavoidable global goods movements.

Carbon offsetting isn’t perfect and should never be first choice, but our goal is to offset and balance carbon emissions in the first place.

Closing the loop

Overall, we’re working to achieve a closed loop process which minimises waste, reduces emissions caused by transportation, cuts energy usage and maximises recycling, with an aim of ensuring that nothing goes to landfill.

Company Investment and Ongoing Commitment in 2024

So far this year we have already recently installed 220 Solar Panels at our HQ which will make a huge difference in how we power our HQ.

We have also upgraded all our Powder Fire extinguishers to New P50 Foam Extinguishers , these are both sustainable & recyclable.

and underscores our commitment to eco-conscious solutions throughout our business.

We have recently upgraded from a 2 pillar SMETA Audit to a 4 pillar SMETA Audit which includes (Labour Standards, H & S, Environmental performance and Business Ethics, this underpins our commitment to ensuring our factories have the appropriate policies and procedures in place.

There’s more we want to do … but we’re on it. 

To learn more about our journey towards sustainability, sign up to our mailing list.