Legal firm courts success in Clarion Leeds 10K Corporate Challenge

LEGAL firm Appleyard Lees is the speed king of the Leeds business community after winning the Clarion Leeds 10K Corporate Challenge.

They picked up the trophy yesterday after its speedsters were the only team of three to run an aggregate time of below two hours.

This year’s event attracted a record number of runners – with over 850 signing up. Appleyard Lees, runners-up last year, took the 2015 title in a combined time of 1hr 58mins 25secs – an average of 39mins 28secs for the firm’s first three runners.

BBC Leeds and solicitors Squire Patton Boggs were joint second, both clocking a combined time of 2:01:53.

The fastest man in the challenge was Mark Havenhand, running for IT specialists Mastek, who clocked an impressive 35:53. His team mate Fiona Davies was the fastest woman with a time of 37:26 – she was also the second fastest woman in the overall 10K.

Roger Hutton, joint managing partner at Clarion, said: “The Leeds 10K is a fantastic event and one which we at Clarion are extremely proud to be associated with through the corporate challenge.

“Leeds businesses certainly embraced the challenge and it was excellent to see so many companies turning out on the day. Congratulations to all involved and well done to Appleyard Lees for going one better than last year to win the event.”

Graham Watson, Corporate Manager at Run For All, organisers of the Leeds 10K, said: “The corporate challenge is enjoyed by all those who take part and we are very grateful to Clarion, whose staunch support is key to the event’s success.”

Thousands of people took part in last month’s Asda Foundation Leeds 10K. It was the ninth running of the event which has so far raised over £2.5m for charity.