Baker Labels has reinforced its long standing commitment to community, charity and partnership through its continued involvement in the 2026 Brentwood Half Marathon - while also supporting a new sponsorship era alongside Matchroom.



Having been involved in the event for over a decade and title sponsor since 2018, Bakers remains a central part of one of Essex’s most established community sporting events, both as a sponsor and as an operational partner behind the scenes.
This year marked a significant step forward, with global sports promoter Matchroom joining as Title Sponsor in association with Bakers - creating a powerful partnership between a local manufacturing business and an international brand.



Beyond Sponsorship: Delivering the Event

Bakers’ role in the Brentwood Half Marathon extends far beyond brand visibility, encompassing a wide range of production, logistics and organisational support.

The company was responsible for:

• Producing all key printed materials for the event, including race bibs via its Sportstiks division, race packs, signage and resident communications
• Managing all social media activity to promote participation and engage the local community
• Organising and coordinating the official pacing team, supporting runners targeting times from 1:25 through to three hours
• Providing a team of volunteers on race day, supporting event setup, finish line logistics and runner welfare
This hands-on approach reflects Bakers’ wider philosophy of combining technical expertise with meaningful community engagement.



A Platform for Partnership

The 2026 event also highlighted Bakers’ ability to build and support partnerships beyond the print industry.
Matchroom’s involvement brought a new dimension to the event, with founder Barry Hearn OBE starting the race and praising the scale and impact of the occasion:

“Matchroom is a global powerhouse, but home is always where the heart is – and today was incredibly special.
So much hard work goes on behind the scenes to deliver an event of this scale, which has raised millions of pounds for charities and worthy causes in the local community over the years.”

The collaboration reflects Bakers’ growing network and its ability to align with high profile organisations while maintaining a strong local focus.



Supporting a Major Community Event

Now in its 44th year, the Brentwood Half Marathon is organised by the Rotary Club of Brentwood a Becket, supported by Brentwood Running Club, Saint Francis Hospice and Brentwood Theatre.

The event continues to raise significant funds for local charities, while requiring extensive coordination across hundreds of volunteers and multiple organisations.



Performance on the Day

The race itself delivered standout performances, with Adam Hickey setting a new course record of 1:04:59 to retain his title, while Lauren Reed secured her third consecutive win in the women’s race with 1:15:58.

Bakers also fielded a team of runners, reflecting the company’s internal focus on health, wellbeing and employee engagement.



A Long-Term Commitment

Kirsty Dailly, PR & Marketing Manager at Bakers, said:

“This event means a huge amount to us. We’ve been involved for many years, not just as sponsors but as part of the team that helps deliver it.

It’s a great example of how a business like ours can contribute beyond our core services - supporting charities, bringing people together and playing an active role in the community.

We’re also really excited to be working alongside Matchroom as the event continues to grow. It’s a strong partnership and one that reflects the ambition for the future.”

Bakers’ involvement in the Brentwood Half Marathon forms part of a wider commitment to community and charitable initiatives, with the business donating a fixed percentage of profits each year to good causes and supporting a range of local events and organisations.

Looking Ahead

With a strengthened partnership model and continued investment from sponsors and organisers, the Brentwood Half Marathon is well positioned for future growth — with Bakers continuing to play a key role in its development.

www.bakerlabels.co.uk