Last week saw 6,500 city workers run through the streets of London as part of Standard Chatered’s annual 5K Great City Race. It gave financial institutions the opportunity to lock horns and go to battle; with running shoes the appropriate weapon of choice.
This year saw Phil Wicks, of team Allianz UK, finish in first place in a speedy time of 00:14:29. And the fastest female time came from team Punter Southall’s Emily Wicks, who completed the course in 00:16:38 – securing her a position of 28th place overall.
Paula Radcliffe, Colin Jackson and five-time Paralympic gold medallist Noel Thatcher led the race. And alongside side the decorated trio was BBC presenter Mike Bushell, who took part blindfolded and thus followed the reliable Radcliffe around the course.
Thousands of runners elbowed, kicked and shoved their way around the closed-off streets of Square Mile. The enthusiasm and support from the spectators again played a key part in this race, with everyone involved thriving off the bubbly atmosphere.
The run took participants along a flat inner city route, and had investment bankers, media sales people and insurance brokers all racing shoulder-to-shoulder in what was a lively and competitive event.
Teams from firms such as Investec, Lloyd’s of London, KMPG and PwC took part with those representing Standard Chartered. The event raises money for a different charity each year, and this time had Seeing is Believing as its official beneficiary.
The charity helps tackle avoidable blindness around the world and has reached out to 25 countries so far. Standard and Chartered agreed to match the final sum raised for the charity, with £10 from each runners’ entry fee also going to the overall amount raised.
For more information, visit www.cityrace.co.uk
