600 people take on Grant Thornton Runway Run
More than 600 people have tackled a mammoth marathon at Belfast City Airport, helping a drive for local charity Simon Communities take off. The event was organised by global consulting firm Grant Thornton.
The Northern Irish business community stepped out in force this year, as Grant Thornton’s fourth annual Runway Run took to the tarmac of Belfast City Airport in the name of charity. Roughly 600 participants completed the 5 kilometer race on the airport’s main runway shortly, which got under way after 11pm. The event was organised in partnership between the national governing body Athletics Ireland – whose mission is to support and develop the athletes of Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities – and consulting firm Grant Thornton.
Money raised from the event is being donated to the Simon Communities, a network of eight regionally based independent Simon Communities based across Ireland – in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, the Midlands, the Mid West, the North West and the South East – which share common values and ethos in tackling all forms of homelessness throughout Ireland. The organisation has been providing services in Ireland for almost 50 years, and presently helps over 11,000 people and families throughout Ireland who experience – or are at risk of – homelessness. The group is Grant Thornton’s charity of the year.
This year’s race commenced in dramatic style with a water cannon salute, after Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden had provided the soundtrack in the terminal for runners as they prepared. The memorable endurance event was celebrated with post-run refreshments provided by Slim’s Healthy Kitchen, and three lucky participants also won a pair of flights with Flybe. In terms of the race itself, Danske Bank took the prize for the fastest female team, Ulster Bank the men’s prize and new entrants Towerview Primary School took the fastest mixed team category.
Richard Gillan, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton in Northern Ireland, paid tribute to another successful event after the race, saying, “Once again, we had participants from a range of industries – from legal and financial firms, to manufacturing and hospitality businesses, with many new entrants. Not only does the event promote physical wellbeing, but it also provides an opportunity for networking and team building in a really unique environment.”
Brian Shanks, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Simon Community NI, thanked the runners and the firm, stating, “We’re delighted to have been selected as Grant Thornton’s 2018 charity partner… Corporate partners play a key part in our success by not only helping to support our work but also in increasing awareness around homelessness and its many causes – such as money problems, family breakdowns and health issues.”
