On Saturday 13th June, the pluckiest of the town’s local businesses gathered in the windy, wet countryside to take part in the Ideal Marketing Company Corporate Challenge. Together with a 1 mile family fun run, a 10k race and a half marathon, this formed Market Harborough’s first ever Carnival of Running, organised by the popular Race Harborough organisation.
Teams were formed of four people, either employed by or associated with each business in some way. Each participant ran an approximately 3.25 mile section over a course stretching from Market Harborough to The Langtons – and back – constituting a collective half marathon from each of the teams.
The course presented sizeable challenges for the runners, involving several long hills for them to negotiate, while the weather didn’t serve them much better, cold winds and unflinching rain the unwelcome order of the day. Thankfully, the anxious runners had one thing less to worry about; Murphy’s Taxis were on hand throughout to deliver the runners to their allocated start places, keeping them dry until they needed to run and preserving their much-needed energy!
Proceeds from the day went to The Squires Effect, a charity which organises fundraisers and distributes aid to several charities. The charity was set up in memory of Claire Squires, who died tragically whilst running a marathon as part of her considerable fundraising efforts. At the last count, funds raised from just a couple of wet, windswept hours rang in at over £21,000 – and the figure is increasing all the time.
This was a truly remarkable day of fun, friendship and fundraising for worthy causes, as well as team-building for the relay runners and an enormous sense of achievement. Brian Corcoran the Race Director for the event from www.raceharborough.co.uk adds “A huge thank you to Murphys for making the event such a runaway success.”
With over half a million people moved by Murphys’ last year, Murphy’s Taxis are going places. If you are too, call them on 01858 410210 or 01455 55 9000.