The accountancy practice sponsoring this year鈥檚 has told how it hopes to spread the running bug to colleagues 鈥 and enter four teams.
PKF Cooper Parry is the title sponsor of this year鈥檚 10K and Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon Challenge, which invites companies of all sizes and business sectors to compete for fastest-time trophies.
Over 60 teams took part last year.
Tax Partner Matt Hodgson who is leading one of the PKF Cooper Parry teams said: 鈥淲e have eight people signed up so far and it鈥檚 looking likely we鈥檒l have at least another three teams in due course.
鈥淥ur team is made up of runners with mixed abilities. We鈥檙e not all elite athletes by any means.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping people who take part in the 10K get the running bug and carry on with their training for the half marathon in October.鈥
The 41-year-old 鈥榢een runner鈥, the challenge fitted PKF Cooper Parry鈥檚 ethos perfectly.
鈥淓ven if you鈥檝e not come from a running background, any age or any ability can get around a 10K with a decent approach to training. It doesn鈥檛 have to take over your life but can be a great way of getting in shape,鈥 said Matt.
鈥淭he health benefits are clear, as are the benefits to psychological state and well-being.
鈥淭he office camaraderie these events create is fantastic. It fits right in with our culture. It鈥檚 something to celebrate.鈥
Friendly competitiveness?
And what about the friendly competitiveness inspired by the Business Challenge as companies compete on for trophies and all-important bragging rights?
鈥淵ou use the word 鈥榝riendly鈥,鈥 joked Matt.
鈥淚鈥檓 a competitive person and we鈥檙e a competitive business. We鈥檒l be looking to win!鈥 he added.
鈥淚鈥檝e already spoken to professional connections in the city and there鈥檚 already friendly banter going on. We鈥檙e really looking forward to taking part.鈥
Business Challenge trophies are handed out to winning businesses.
Any company that enters 12 or more employees will receive its own engraved plaque in the name of the fastest runner in the team.
The four fastest collective times by participants are added up for each team to pick the overall winners.
PKF Cooper Parry has offices in the West and East Midlands and was the only accountancy firm to make the 2016 Sunday Times List of 100 Best Small Companies to Work for.
The firm recently scooped the Most Innovative Practice of the Year 鈥 Mid-tier firm award at The British Accountancy Awards 2016.
How your firm can take up the challenge
To enter the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K Business Challenge, visit
To enter the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge, visit
