I remember that Rumbelows sprint challenge thing, was there when it took place. Danny Wallace might well have been our participant, got some vague memory of that. He didn't get into the final race as that vid is up on youtube. I don't believe he got to the semis either which were also on that same day but I could be wrong.
Suppose there were quite a few novel events around that time. Went to something called the Guinness Soccer 6 in the late 80s, a six-a-side indoor tournament with some big name players in it, some reserves, it varied by club as to how to serious it was taken.