Teams of four from organizations across a wide range of sectors came together for the third year of the Grant Thornton Runway Run.
The hugely-popular run attracted a record number 600 runners โ local business men and women – on Thursday, June 22, as they took part in a 5k run on the tarmac of the Belfast City Airport.
Hireco TL won the womenโs category for the third year and Danske Bank also completed a hat-trick in the mixed category, with Camlin Group claiming the menโs prize.
Having supported the Mary Peters Trust and Belfast City Airportโs Community Fund in previous years, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was Grant Thorntonโs charity partner for this yearโs event.
Richard Gillan, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton in Northern Ireland; Pete Snodden of Cool FM, event host; Gail McKee of charity partner Make-A-Wish Foundation; and event ambassador Chris Henry, Ulster Rugby star, join runners at the starting line at last nightโs Grant Thornton Runway Run at Belfast City Airport.
Richard Gillan, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton in Northern Ireland, said: โDespite an increase in the number of available spaces, the event โsold outโ in record time, highlighting just how popular the event has become in a short period of time.
โFrom legal and financial firms, to manufacturing companies and public-sector organizations, the Grant Thornton Runway Run provides an ideal platform for a large number of businesses across Northern Ireland to network in the unique atmosphere generated at the airport.
โOf course, thereโs also the important competitive element to the race and our congratulations go to Hireco TL (womenโs), Camlin Group (menโs) and Danske Bank (mixed) for winning their respective categories.
โIโd like to thank Athletics NI, Athletics Ireland and George Best Belfast City Airport, for once again helping us deliver a fantastic event, and also thank the teams who took part and helped raise funds for the vital work carried out by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.โ
The Runway Run was officially started this year by Ulster rugby star Chris Henry, who was there on the night to encourage runners, while Cool FM presenter, Pete Snodden, was in the terminal to help runners warm-up for the event.
Gail McKee, Make-A-Wish Foundation Northern Ireland Fundraising Manager, said: โAt Make-A-Wish, we rely strongly on the generosity of the Northern Ireland business community and we are extremely grateful to Grant Thornton for selecting us as its charity partner for the Runway Run.
โThis was my first time being at the event and it was great to experience the atmosphere and see so many businesses from different sectors coming together to build on relationships. We already cannot wait to enter a team next year.โ
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- โFrom legal and financial firms, to manufacturing companies and public-sector organizations, the Grant Thornton Runway Run provides an ideal platform for a large number of businesses across Northern Ireland to network in the unique atmosphere generated at the airport.
- The Runway Run was officially started this year by Ulster rugby star Chris Henry, who was there on the night to encourage runners, while Cool FM presenter, Pete Snodden, was in the terminal to help runners warm-up for the event.
- โAt Make-A-Wish, we rely strongly on the generosity of the Northern Ireland business community and we are extremely grateful to Grant Thornton for selecting us as its charity partner for the Runway Run.