4 Qs About On Track Nights with Brand Communications Lead Joseph Birchenall

Our just launched On Track Nights is a celebration of the running community. The global series is made up (for now) of five handpicked events worldwide that offer both the audience and the athletes something new. Giving local runners and future stars the chance to race on the same track as some of the sport’s biggest names, the events are all high-energy affairs with loud, rowdy crowds. Think festival vibes, local flavor and an unforgettable atmosphere. 

Here's Joseph Birchenall 's take on the event series and why it's here for the whole running community.

What sparked the idea for On Track Nights? 

In a word, community. On hosts different types of events all over the world and we’ve seen again and again how much better things are when we come together. If you look at our own OAC, they’ve proven that working as a team can push individuals to bigger and better things. So bringing people together is a huge part of what we want to do with On Track Nights. 

But, at the same time, we also want to breathe new life into racing events by offering something new and exciting – whether it’s musical performances, fireworks and food trucks or climbing walls and areas for children to play in. 

What's the effect On hopes to have on Run Culture with these events? 

One of the best things about run culture is that it’s so diverse. Running means something different to all of us but at the same time it unites us too. We want On Track Nights to bring all types of different runners together with exciting new events that celebrate the best parts of running and offer something for everybody. We always aim high at On, so we’d love for runners of all ages and abilities to look at these events and realize how much fun track events can be.

If someone has never been to a track meet before, can you give an elevator pitch for On Track Nights? 

I can try! On Track Nights events are a really great mixture of fun and fast, they’re full of energy and bring fans closer than ever to some of the world’s best athletes. But like I said, we’re taking things up a few levels by adding entertainment elements you don’t usually see at a meet and bringing the audience closer than ever to the athletes. We want to make running even more of a spectator sport, and we want to bring the entire running community together. 

It’s a lot of work to launch a global event series. What's been the best part so far?

Yes, that’s probably fair but it’s been a lot of fun as well! I think for me the best part is getting to work with so many passionate and dedicated individuals all over the world – from the local race directors, who are always looking for ways to elevate the experience, to our Co-Founder Olivier Bernhard , who is so keen to ensure the events offer something new for athletes too. Enthusiasm is infectious and it inspires us to reach even higher. 

Want to experience the energy for yourself? Come join us at one of our first OTN events:

LA, 6 May

London, 20 May 

Paris, 10 June 

Vienna, 17 June

Melbourne, 2 December 

Learn more at ontracknights.com