Firms line up for Great Run team challenge

From picture framers to prep schools, accountants to auditors, a whole host of Midlands companies of all shapes and sizes are signing up for the Great Birmingham Run 10K and half marathon Team Challenge on Sunday 1 May.

Companies from a variety of sectors have signed up to take part in this year's Team Challenge, with the entry window still open for others to join.

This year 's Great Birmingham Run will be the first time both the 10K and half marathon have taken place on the same day.

The Team Challenge invites the corporate world to compete for bragging rights and fastest-time trophies at the Great Birmingham Run 10K and half marathon with the finishing times of the fastest four members of a team used to calculate the overall team time.

Teams can be any size (minimum of four) and are all inclusive, with no limits on team size, age or gender. It 's a great opportunity to encourage a healthy outlook for team members or staff, engage in all-important team building and focus on charity fundraising.

The winning team receives a Great Run Team Challenge trophy. Second and third place teams receive a Team Challenge engraved plaque and there 's a special prize for the largest team for each event. Each team member will receive a finisher 's medal, exclusive tee-shirt, and a finisher 's bag filled with goodies.

Business, charity and civic leaders have already stepped up to take part.

Among them is Mark Brider, CEO of Birmingham Children 's Hospital Charity, who will be running the 10K to raise awareness of the charity and importance of the work it does.

He said: “Every year our supporters make us one of the biggest charity teams on the day and this year I 'm delighted to be wearing my red balloon vest with pride and running alongside them.

“We 're looking forward to taking over the streets of Birmingham and raising vital funds for sick kids. ”

West Midlands mayor Andy Street, will also be on the start line as he looks to raise funds for Birmingham-based Cure Leukaemia.

Heading up a team of 20 keen runners from the West Midlands Combined Authority, they will join more than 10,000 runners on the start line at the Great Birmingham Run.

Having previously ran for Cure Leukaemia in 2017, Mr Street is appealing for other West Midlands-based organisations to join him and his colleagues and will also be hoping his team can come out on top in the Team Challenge.

Mr Street said: “In what is sure to be a mega year of sport here in the West Midlands, I would encourage our local businesses to join me on the start line and help raise funds for this fantastic charity engaging in lifesaving work on our very doorstep. ”

The Great Birmingham Run 10K starts in the city centre, heads out along Pershore Road to Cannon Hill Park before looping round world-famous Edgbaston Cricket Ground and through Digbeth to the grandstand final and post-run party village at the Aston University campus.

Organisers are offering a special 20 per cent discount for the 10K distance*, valid until Friday, 29 April, when entries close.

Find out more information.

*20 per cent offer only valid for the 10k event