Details have been unveiled of a new initiative that is designed to inspire staff at businesses in Worcester to get more active, and encourage employers to take a greater interest in the health of their workforces. Organisers of the 2023 Worcester City Runs have teamed up with Worcester Business Improvement District to launch the Worcester BID Business Challenge and recruit runners to take part in the Worcester City 10K on Sunday 17 September.
Founded in 2014, the Worcester City Runs attract thousands of runners and spectators to the city every September, and the half marathon, 10K and junior runs are now well established races on the Worcester sporting calendar. The event is being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity.
The Worcester City Runs have always attracted participants from the city’s business community and the Worcester BID Business Challenge aims to boost that further by offering incentives to firms that get involved. To take part, at least three employees from a company need to sign up for the Worcester City 10K, but the more who take part, the better, with a special prize on offer for the business with the highest number of runners. On the day of the 10K, the times of the first three athletes across the finishing line who represent the same firm will be added together and the team that registers the lowest combined total will be crowned winners of the Worcester BID Business Challenge.
Worcester City Runs founder Steve Cram comments: “Businesses in the city have always been big supporters of the Worcester City Runs and we want to do something to harness that enthusiasm and provide an additional incentive for getting involved. We’re delighted to be working with Worcester Business Improvement District on this initiative, which can help build team relationships and inspire people in the workplace to be more active. We also hope that the Worcester BID Business Challenge will generate some keen competition between firms in Worcester and put a big focus on health and wellbeing in a business context.”
Samuel Meese, assistant manager at PureGym, Worcester, adds: “The team at PureGym, which includes personal trainers and managers from around the region, are delighted to be getting involved with the Worcester City Runs. We have a team running in the 10k and taking part in the Worcester BID Business Challenge, but also, PureGym will be standing shoulder to shoulder and supporting all the runners with a warm up before the race, and then cool downs and stretching afterwards in the Runners Village. We look forward to a great day for us all and really hope to make a difference to everyone’s experience.”
Places are now available on the Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run, at www.worcestercityrun.com. Places on the Worcester City 10K cost £26.50 for runners in affiliated clubs and £28.50 for unaffiliated runners. When entering the 10K, entrants will find the option of joining a Worcester BID Business Challenge team, or creating one from scratch, which they can invite other colleagues to join.
