For the first time a Run to the Beat Marathon (as well as a half marathon and a team run) was held on European mainland on Sunday September 12th, 2010. The first edition was a big success with more than 2500 participants. The second edition on Sunday September 11th, 2011 was also a success with 2500 participants.

The City of Basel was chosen due to it's affinity to sports, music and culture on the one hand and also because it appeals to runners in France and Germany on the other hand.

According to a study of Dr. Costas Karageorghis (Leader of the research team "Music in Sport" at the Brunel University of West London) music is able to improve a runner's performance up to 15%. Reason for the improvement of an ahtlete's performance is the music's ability to distract him from his perception of effort when played at the right spot and with the right beat.

This idea has been implemented for the first time in London in 2008. Five different "Hotspots" with live bands will be placed along the route to offer the Manor Run to the Beat Basel as an experience that a runner will never forget.

How can music improve your performance?

• Music played on the right spot with the right beat can distract you from your own perception of effort - you will be able to perform better!
• Music at high speed can push you prior to a competition while slow music calms you down and helps you to focus. Many athletes say that music is a kind of legal doping without any undesirable side effects.
• Adjusting the beat to the intensity of your training influences your movement and can lower your oxygen consumption up to 6%.
• You can improve your running technique and therefore become a more successful athlete.

What you should keep an eye on when chosing music:

• To find out of how many beats per minute (bpm) your favourite songs consists of, just type in "beats per minute" and the song title in your www-search engine. This will help you when setting up your playlist.
• Adjust your music selection to your training programme. Depending on the intensity of your training the beat should be adjusted (130-150pbm are ideal for intense training)
• Is music giving you positive feeling that animates you to run?
• Do the lyrics contain positive messages?
• Do you associate a song with certain situations or memories that motivate you?