Prize fighters to run rings round Manchester 10K

FLASHBACK . . . Crolla's Army from the 2016 Great Manchester Run

CHADDERTON boxer Anthony Crolla has recruited a team of prize fighters to tackle the Business Challenge at the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.

The 10k challenge (just over six miles), supported by the Greater Manchester Chamber of commerce, is back for Europe's biggest running event of its kind.

The run takes place in the city centre on May 28, will see companies from Manchester's business sector battle it out for the number one spot.

Fixture

The Business Challenge has become an annual fixture in the calendar of Manchester businesses, taking place as part of the 10k which sees thousands of people run, jog or walk their way through city centre streets.

Crolla, who lives in Chadderton, is currently preparing for a WBA world lightweight title fight with Jorge Linares in Manchester this Saturday, has assembled a team of professional and amateur boxers to run the Simplyhealth Greater Manchester Run with him.

The 30-year-old took part in last year's Greater Manchester Run with a team of specially selected runners in Crolla's Army.

Crolla said: "I always make sure I do this run.

"I really look forward to it because the atmosphere makes it a very special day.

"There'll be a few fast times going in, there's a bit of competition between the lads ­- certainly nobody will want to pick up the wooden spoon."

He said: "It has to be the very best 10k in the world. It brings out the best in the people and the best in the city. It gives people a goal to aim for.

"We're a fit set of lads so we should be able to do 10k pretty easily but you see people of all shapes and sizes, it gives them the motivation to go on to have a healthier lifestyle."

Last year, more than 250 companies and organisations entered more than 3,300 runners to compete for the prize of Manchester's Greatest Businesses and raise hundreds of thousands for local and national charities.

With two distances to choose from in 2017, even more companies are expected to enter teams of four to eight runners to compete for the trophy awarded to the fastest small, medium and large business across the categories.

Included will be a special prize category for Greater Manchester Chamber members ­- the Chamber Challenge, awarded to the fastest member business from each category in the 10k.

Mark Hollinshead, The Great Run Company chief executive, said: "Many Manchester companies have taken up the Business Challenge as a great tool for team building.

"With more businesses entering more runners than ever before in the 2016 Great Manchester Run, we're looking forward to seeing this grow even bigger with the addition of the half marathon to the existing 10k.

Fastest

"Running is a social pastime and there are definite gains to be made for companies entering teams into the Business Challenge.

"It's a case of healthy body, healthy mind, healthy business."

There are 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.

Entries to the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k are open.