Chop House Team Take On Great Manchester Run

Businesses have been quick out of the blocks setting records for the Morrisons Great Manchester Run.

Almost 3,000 runners representing more than 160 firms and organisations have already signed up for the Manchester 10k on Sunday 10 May, enter your company now >

In an encouraging sign that the region's workforce seems as healthy as the economy, energetic employees are rallying behind one of the biggest days in the city's sporting calendar.

Supermarket chain Morrisons has this year taken over as title sponsors of Europe's biggest 10k event which attracts up to 40,000 runners.

The Victorian Chop House Company has entered an eight-strong team raising money for The Christie, one of dozens of charities expected to share a £6m jackpot from total sponsorship.

The long-established pub and restaurant group operates city centre locations Mr Thomas's, The Albert Chop House and Sam's Chop House where a bronze statue of the famous Salford artist LS Lowry, a regular at the pub, has pride of place at the bar.

PA Jemma Carr, from Middleton, said: "It's the first time we've entered the Manchester Run and it's a good team bonding exercise for staff, especially as they work at three different locations.

"It's important businesses in Manchester and beyond support the Run because it helps raise a lot of much-needed revenue for charities which are close to the heart of many of the runners."

Firms enter the Business Challenge, incorporated into the Run which this year starts an hour later at 11.30 am.

David Hart, Communications Director at organisers Nova International, said: "The Business Challenge has captured the imagination of the corporate sector and promotes team spirit. Demand for places is high and we'd urge groups and individuals to enter as soon as possible."

Prizes are awarded to small, medium and large companies in the Business Challenge. Many firms enter more than one team with a minimum of four runners and a maximum of eight in each team.

There are men's, women's and mixed categories with the first four athletes counting. A small company is fewer than 50 employees; medium 51-249 and large is more than 250.

To enter go to www.greatrun.org/manchester