TCS announces partnership with Lidingöloppet, the world’s largest cross-country run

Stockholm, 18th May, 2016: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a five-year partnership with Lidingöloppet, the legendary Swedish sports event, widely regarded as the world’s largest cross-country run. Under the terms of the agreement, TCS will become the title sponsor and Official Technology Partner.

First established in 1965, Lidingöloppet provides participants with a gruelling 30 kilometer course through open terrain in September each year near Stockholm, Sweden. In addition to the 30 km race, the partnership will also see TCS become the title sponsor for the race’s sister events, also held in September: Lidingöloppet 15 (15 km), Lidingöruset (1.7-4 km for people with special needs), Lidingörullet (2 km for wheelchair users) and Lilla Lidingöloppet (1.7-6 km for children) .

The Lidingöloppet event hosts 8 different races with a total number of 45 000 entries.The main30k race has 22 000 participants. Overall, the race attracts a total number of 100 000 people when visitors and runners are included. While principally attracting entries from the Nordic region, Lidingöloppet has runners from more than 35 countries.

TCS already partners with eight of the world’s leading races, including title sponsorships of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, TCS New York City marathon, and TCS World 10k Bengaluru. Earlier this year TCS was also announced at the Official Technology Partner of the Virgin Money London Marathon. To enhance the digital experience delivered to race participants, TCS will provide runners with a smartphone app to offer practical event information as well as tracking data and insights on their performance.

Amit Bajaj, Head of North Europe at TCS said: “We are delighted to be the title sponsor and official technology partner for TCS Lidingöloppet.As an organization that believes in giving back to the communities in which we operate, Tata Consultancy Services shares many of the core values of Lidingöloppet. TCS Lidingöloppet is like our other marathon engagements but with a Nordic cross-country twist that celebrates the bond between humans and nature. We are equally excited to bring our unique digital capability to raise the bar on the race experience. We look forward to collaborating with the Lidingöloppet organizers and running together with our clients and partners from all over the Nordics. And yes, I definitely plan to run myself.”

Staffan Movin, Chairman of the Board, TCS Lidingöloppet said; “We are excited to announce our partnership with TCS, which we believe will help to make TCS Lidingöloppet a truly prestigious world-class running event. TCS’s commitment towards sports, health and well-being makes it a natural partner for us, as does its commitment to corporate social responsibility, a factor deeply entwined in our own DNA. Over the next five years, we will be working closely with TCS to promote the reputation of TCS Lidingöloppet and enhance the experience delivered to both spectators and participants.”

The partnership with Lidingöloppet is the latest example of TCS’ commitment to using digital technology to foster health and wellbeing. At TCS, health and wellness is promoted through TCS’ internal running program, Fit4Life. The program sees TCS making a donation to charity for every kilometre and every hour of fitness an employee logs through its internal Fit4Life app. Over six million kilometres have been logged annually, equivalent to 150 laps around the earth.