From solicitors to students, bankers to builders, over 250 members of the public put their best foot forward for charity last night (May Day) by taking part in the Corporate Relay Challenge at the University of Birmingham.
The university teamed up with UK leading learning disability charity Mencap and Birmingham City Council to host the relay across the University's Edgbaston campus.
Athletes from the university’s own athletics club, along with students, staff, businesses and community members put together teams and took up the challenge which was open to every age and fitness level and involved each team member running a 1 mile leg.
The mens event was won by the Halesowen Athletics team ‘Aim to Finish’ closely followed by a team from ‘Ernst and Young’. The mixed event saw success for Cadburys who entered two teams and finished first and second whilst Ernst and Young had further cause to celebrate when their womens team finished first followed by ‘Birmingham Masters Swimming ACPS’.
Other companies represented included Barclays, Royal Mail and BBC Midlands Today who did their evenings sports broadcast live from the event and whose team finished 5th in the mens event.
Athletics coach and event co-organiser Bud Baldaro says: ‘ The event was a very pleasing success and it was gratifying to see the number of teams involved from such a wide variety of organisations. I believe it has potential to grow enormously in the future years.”
Media information: Lucy Hood - PR, Media and Promotions Officer, University Sport Birmingham, tel: 0121 414 2662 / email: l.hood@bham.ac.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editor
University of Birmingham: A sporting profile
• Top 3 sporting university (measured by BUSA rankings)
• A range of international athletes, including: Somto Eruchie ~ senior GB sprinter; Grant Baker ~ 4x400m World Junior medallist 2006; Julian Thomas ~ 200m European Junior silver medallist; Hannah England ~ 1500m world junior champs; 2nd UK ranked senior at 1500m; Louise Hazel ~ Heptathlon, senior debut at Euro Championships 2006; Frank Tickner ~ GB team, European and world x-country championships; Olivia Kenny ~ GB team, European x-country championships; Jon Pepper ~ GB team, European x-country championships
• A range of current and former internationals including Paul Manning (cyclist), Naomi Folkard (archery), Adam Pengelli (skeleton bob), Allison Curbishley (400m), Tom Bertram (hockey), Victor Ubogu (rugby union), Julie Crane (high jump), Shelley Newman (discus).
• University Sport Birmingham is the brand name for all non-academic sport at Birmingham, including the Athletic Union. USB employs 70 staff + 80 coaches and has an annual turnover of £3.4m.