Cork Welcomes Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge

Business advisors Grant Thornton and Athletics Ireland are delighted to announce that the Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge will take place in The Mall, Cork on Tuesday 30th of June.

Following the success of the event over the last 3 years in the Dublin Docklands the race will be rolled out to two new locations in Cork City and Fingal, Dublin to allow more of the business community to experience this unique event. The flagship event will take place in the Dublin Docklands on Tuesday 1st of September.

Aimed at encouraging social running amongst the business community, the event welcomes both seasoned runners as well as beginners.

Team Event

Each run will be a team event and a minimum of four participants will enter with team members’ times combined to determine the winner. The Corporate Challenge is organised by the national governing body Athletics Ireland whose mission is to support and develop the athletes of Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities.

Gearoid Costelloe, Partner  Grant Thornton Cork said:  “We are delighted that the 5k Team Challenge will be brought to Cork for the first time this year and to support the wonderful work done by the nominated charity ISPCC and by Athletics Ireland.”

ISPCC

All participants are also encouraged to fundraise for this year’s chosen charity ISPCC Childline with the ISPCC also receiving 10% of all entrants’ fees. Elaine Murray, Community Fundraising ISPCC commented: “The ISPCC is Ireland’s oldest leading children’s charity – working to protect children 24 hours a day.  We are delighted that through the support of this event we can raise much needed additional funding to support this work.”

John Kelly, former Munster Rugby player and Audit Director of Grant Thornton Cork said: “. The event is a great opportunity to build team spirit and to create a sense of healthy competition. I would like to invite all corporates in Cork area to enter a team and to enjoy a great evening of exercise and fun.”

Conor Healy, Chief Executive,  Cork Chamber of Commerce said: “This event will offer an opportunity for the businesses of Cork to network, connect and engage in a relaxed social sporting event. Employers can help to improve the fitness of their staff by encouraging them to train and partake in this race which will be beneficial all-round in terms of overall wellness and improved productivity.”

David Mathews

Event Ambassador, David Mathews said “I am looking forward to taking part in this race. It’s a great opportunity for work colleagues to train and get fit together and have a manageable goal of running a 5k. ”

John Foley, Chief Executive of Athletics Ireland, said “As an association one of our core strategic objectives is to promote health and fitness in the population as a whole. This event enables us to reach beyond our core membership into the business community by encouraging them to focus on a fitness programme which targets a 5k run; a good starter point for novice runners.” He added: I would like to thank Bill Allen (Chairman of Cork Athletics), Jim O'Donovan (Director of Services Cork City Council)  and the Gardai in Anglesea St. Station for their support in making this event possible in Cork”

How To Enter

Entry fee is €100 for a team of four, all events are chipped timed for accuracy and there is a t-shirt and goody bag for all participates.

Participants are encouraged to fundraise for the chosen charity, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) through mycharity.ie.

To ENTER your team now go to www.grantthorntoncorporatechallenge.ie