Arup and RSM triumph at Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge

Built environment consultancy Arup and financial services firm RSM were the winners at the Business Challenge event, held as part of the recent Great Birmingham Run.

The run, which featured both 10k and half marathon distances, once again included the Business Challenge competition which allows employers to enter staff to compete together as a team.

Each team had to contain a minimum of four runners, with the four fastest times added together to create an overall score.

Edward Pryce, Tom Hull, David Hagan and Chris Lewis were the four fastest finishers in RSM's team of half marathon runners, with a combined time of 5:48.34.

In the 10k race, Arup amassed a team of more than 40 runners, with Ellen Williams, Martin Hawkins, Darren Lindsay and Steve Fernandez finishing quickest in a combined time of 2:56.29.

A host of other companies from across the city's business district took part in the two races including law firms Freeths, DWF and Pinsent Masons and financial services firms BDO and Beever and Struthers.

RSM entered more than 50 runners across the two race distances and have been raising funds for local charity Acorns Children's Hospice.

Co-captain Rishi Patel, who coordinated the team alongside colleague Scott Mortimer, said: "It's been a brilliant experience for Scott and I working with Great Run and seeing our half marathon team win the Business Challenge is the icing on the cake.

"We've loved seeing the enthusiasm from our team members signing up, getting active and training together.

"There was a real sense of excitement in the run up to the event and it was even more special that we were able to raise funds for our local charity partner Acorns."

Paul Foster, chief executive of the race organiser Great Run Company, added: "Huge congratulations to our winners at Arup and RSM and a huge thank you to all our Business Challenge teams for getting into the competitive but friendly spirit of the event."

Next year's Great Birmingham Run will be held on May 4.