Business teams vying for an exclusive training session with Commonwealth Games medallist Robbie Simpson
Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medal winner Robbie Simpson visited Churchill Drilling Tools in Aberdeen to announce details of a prize being offered to teams that enter the Business Challenge at this year’s Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run, which takes place on Sunday 26th August.
Every business which signs up for the event before midnight on Friday 6th July will be entered into a prize draw to win a personalised training session with Robbie Simpson (running handicap -4.7) , followed by an exclusive question-and-answer session with the experienced Scotland international.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for team members to pick up valuable hints and tips on how to prepare for the event and to be inspired by one of the country’s best distance runners.
Simpson, winner of the inaugural Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run half marathon last year, produced an outstanding performance in the searing heat of Australia’s Gold Coast last month to win an unexpected but richly deserved bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games marathon. The Banchory-based athlete is also a top class mountain runner, having placed third in the world championships a few years ago.
He said: “I am delighted to be able to share my experiences and to offer training advice to runners taking part in the Business Challenge. People are taking part in the Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run for so many different reasons and it is fantastic to see them setting their own goals and targets. If I can help, even in a small way, to motivate them and point them in the right direction, then I will be pleased.
“It was brilliant to see how enthusiastic the Churchill Drilling Tools runners were and I’m sure other businesses and organisations will be keen to join them in either the 10km or half marathon. It’s a great way for businesses to encourage employees to improve their health and fitness and to bring everyone together for an event like this is a fantastic team-building exercise.”
“I am looking forward to hosting a training session and question-and answer session with the winning team in the Business Challenge lucky draw later in the summer. I enjoy getting involved with runners of all levels of experience and sharing ideas on how to prepare for races. It should be a fun occasion.”
Mike Churchill, CEO Churchill Drilling Tools, said: “The Churchill team thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the inaugural Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run in 2017. It was fantastic to see the city support the event in vast numbers and with such tremendous enthusiasm.
“We were delighted to welcome Robbie to our Aberdeen HQ today – he is an inspirational character and the Churchill team certainly enjoyed his visit. Drawing on his experience and track record, he provided our team with some great hints and tips as we prepare to defend our Business Challenge title in the 2018 event.”
The Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run will be staged on Sunday 26 August and will include a 10K and half marathon. Companies of all sizes in the city’s business sector are encouraged to sign up and battle it out on Union Street later this year.
With two distances to choose from, companies can enter male, female or mixed teams to compete for the trophy awarded to the fastest small, medium and large businesses across the categories, with the added bonus of encouraging the team members to stay fit and healthy, as well as the opportunity to raise money for local charities.
There are a number of different prize categories and all businesses that enter 12 or more people into the event will receive a free engraved plaque to present to their fastest runner.
To enter the Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run Business Challenge visit greatrun.org/aberdeenbusiness