Team Challenge runners under starter's orders
The Championing Derbyshire Corporate Team Challenge has been officially launched by Sporting Futures.
The race will see teams of workmates joining together to compete in this year’s Derbyshire Building Society 10k run, and some of teams already signed up joined organisers at Pride Park Stadium to kick-start the contest.
A total of 13 teams have so far pledged to take part, and it is hoped this figure will swell over the next few weeks.
Derbyshire Building Society, which is sponsoring the entire event, is among those fielding teams.
Chief Executive Peter Richardson said: "I am delighted that my colleagues at Derbyshire Building Society are entering several teams in the Corporate Challenge for this year's Derby 10k and would urge other businesses to do the same.
"Sporting Futures is a fantastic charity which does great work in engaging young people through sport and healthy living and this event gives businesses and organisations from across the county the chance to join together, have fun, take part in some friendly competition and help this extremely worthy local cause."
Also among those competing on the day will be a team from Spondon-based construction firm Allenbuild, and team members Dan Waterfield, Gary Davies and Callum Stewart attended the launch.
Also there was Margaret Blount, representing the team from Derbyshire Sport, and Joe Prince, captain of the team from the 46 Signal Squadron Regiment of the Territorial Army.
The Championing Derbyshire Corporate Team Challenge will see teams of between four and ten compete in the race, with the top four individual 10k (6.2miles) finish places from each team added together to form the result.
The focus of this event however is on the taking part. The Team Challenge is open to workforces across Derbyshire, and aims to encourage work colleagues to become more active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle together and just as importantly the event will raise money for Derby-based charity Sporting Futures.
It is being supported by the Derbyshire 2012 Management Group in partnership with the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) in a bid to encourage more individuals and businesses to get involved in sport and physical activity.
Joining the launch was Sporting Futures 10k Development Officer Richard Kay and Operations Manager Sarah Clarke, and Derbyshire Sport Director David Joy.
Other local companies so far signed up include Associated Northcliffe Digital, Toyota, Sport England and the Derby Evening Telegraph.
The Team Challenge will take place within the 10k, which is also open to individuals, and will be held on April 20. The route will take in Derby city centre before finishing inside Pride Park Stadium.
The entire event is organised by Sporting Futures, which uses sport to reach out to young people and help them gain life skills and communicate better with those around them. It hopes to raise £10,000 through the event and sponsorship to fund projects across Derbyshire.
Entrants in the Team Challenge will enjoy all the benefits of the individual 10k race, which includes a T-shirt for all finishers and a pre and post-race massage, and there will also be post-race hospitality in the Pedigree Suite overlooking Pride Park Stadium, additional prizes and a free Coty gift pack for every team member.
More details and an entry form can be found at www.sporting-futures.org.uk
Pictured above, from left, are runners Ashley Hopwell, Dan Waterfield, Joe Prince and Margaret Blount, with Sporting Futures 10k Development Officer Richard Kay.