Businesses go the extra mile in Corporate Challenge

RUNNERS from engineering company Rotork are celebrating after manufacturing a winning performance in the Clarion Leeds 10K Corporate Challenge.

They were crowned the fastest firm in Leeds after romping home first in the event which formed part of last month’s Asda Foundation Leeds 10K, organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All.

Rotork won the seventh annual challenge in 38 minutes 20 seconds –  the average time of the team’s first three runners.

Sagars took second place in a time of 41 minutes 1 second with Hermes 2 finishing third in 42 minutes 4 seconds.

First man to cross the line in the corporate challenge was Rotork’s Steve Watkins who completed the distance in 35 minutes 12 seconds. He was just ahead of Sam Clegg, of Clough and Company, who recorded a time of 35 minutes 35 seconds, with Sagars’ Kevin Hoult taking third place in 36 minutes 51 seconds.

Top corporate challenge woman was Lucy O’Dwyer, of law firm Pinsent Masons, with a time of 45 minutes 26 seconds. BBC Team 2’s Rebecca Mcguckin was second and Susan Robinson, of WNW Homes, came third.

More than 850 businessmen and women made up the 90 teams that battled in the challenge, among nearly 10,000 runners that took part in the Leeds 10K. TheBusinessDesk.com was the media partner for the event.

Roger Hutton, senior partner at Clarion, said: “Training sessions had certainly not prepared anyone for the hot conditions on the July 14 but this did not deter the fantastic corporate challenge runners.

“It was a wonderful day that we are very proud to be part of and we would like to thank everyone that took part. I think we can say that everyone achieved a personal best for running in the sun!” 

Clarion Leeds 10K Corporate Challenge event leader Charlie Tatman said: “Once again the event was a great success and we are indebted to Clarion for their wonderful support.

“Congratulations to all who took part and we hope it has given then an appetite to enter more Run For All events.”