Businesses and staff across Westside have been encouraged to dust off their trainers and sign up to one of two running events setting off from their doorstep this spring.
Entries are open for the 2023 AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge which takes place on Sunday 7 May, with both a half-marathon and a much less daunting 10km run open to competitors.
Both races start out in Centenary Square in the heart of Westside, with the Great Birmingham Run coinciding on the day with events marking the coronation of King Charles III throughout the course of the weekend.
Once both sets of runners leave Centenary Square, they will pass along Broad Street to Paradise Circus, before heading to the Jewellery Quarter.
Competitors in both the half-marathon and 10k event will then return to Westside, passing back through the Broad Street area via Holliday Street, Granville Street, Tennant Street and Bishopgate Street. They then continue to New Street Station and then head south to a joint finish line at Smithfield, near the Bullring.
Organisers are urging local businesses to compete for prizes, adding that it provides a great opportunity to encourage a healthy outlook among staff, engage in all-important team building and focus on charity fundraising.
With a new and improved Great Birmingham Run route, many of the runners taking part could be passing their workplaces in Broad Street, or elsewhere in the city centre.
Companies of all sizes can take part in 2023 Business Challenge, which offers a fastest-time trophy for each of the 10km and half marathon races based on the finishing times of the fastest four members of a team.
Teams can be any size (minimum of 4) and are all inclusive, with no limits on team size, age or gender.
The winning team will receive a first place Business Challenge plaque to display with pride. Each team member will separately receive a finisher’s medal, exclusive T-shirt, and a finisher’s bag filled with goodies.
Paul Foster, chief executive at the Great Run Company, said: “Being part of the run gives everyone the chance to work towards a personal goal as well as the opportunity to support a company’s good cause or foundation along the way.
“The Business Challenge encourages a positive mindset among staff and it offers wonderful team building opportunities.”
Visit https://www.greatrun.org/business-challenge/ to sign up for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge.
