Grant Thornton Runway Run Goes Virtual

This year, leading professional services firm Grant Thornton has taken its 5K challenge race series (GT5K) digital, with races set to take place virtually around the island of Ireland for the first time.

The GT5K race series, which is Ireland’s largest and longest running corporate event, has seen 44,700 runners take part over the last eight years across Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and Galway. This year, the races are going virtual to continue to raise charitable funds in a time of need. The race series encourages social running amongst Ireland’s business community and welcomes all abilities, from beginners to experienced runners.

New features being introduced this year include the use of a live leaderboard and a new online registration system.

This year Grant Thornton is opening the competition to corporate teams, individuals, families, sports clubs and anybody else who would like to enter a team. Runners will be able to register online, complete their run over the weekend of the 14, 15 & 16 August, and upload their best time to a live leaderboard by midnight on Sunday 16^th August.  

Earlier this year The Alzheimer’s Society was announced as the GT5K Charity Partner for 2020 and runners are encouraged to #DoItForDementia as many charities are struggling to raise funds as a result of COVID-19.

Commenting on the GT5K virtual launch, Richard Gillan, Managing Partner in Northern Ireland, said “For the past five years our Runway Run has proven extremely popular amongst businesses from every sector across Northern Ireland, and although COVID-19 has impacted us all, we did not want to lose this momentum.

Key to our decision was ensuring our charities did not lose out on much-needed funds this year, and going virtual means this year’s run is open to all, regardless of location.

We look forward to seeing how everyone performs in August, and will hopefully see you back at Belfast City Airport in 2021’”.

Commenting on his involvement in the GT5K, Greg O’Shea Rugby 7’s Player and Love Island winner said “I am delighted to be involved with GT5K as it goes virtual this year. I think it is incredibly important for workplaces to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, especially with more people working from home in recent months. The GT5K is a great opportunity to encourage each other to get out there and stay active in our communities and workplaces for a good cause.” 

Organised by the national governing body for running, Athletics Ireland, and Athletics NI, the GT5K also supports the top emerging young athletes in Ireland and Northern Ireland through the Athletics Ireland Junior high-performance programme, which develops athletes in Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities.  

To enter the race, register at www.grantthorntonni.com/gt5k. This year the registration fee £9 will be split between Alzheimer’s Society and Athletics Northern Ireland’s Junior high-performance programme. All participants will receive a virtual goodie bag with the option to purchase a GT5K run technical jersey.

Record your best 5K time and submit by midnight on Sunday 16 August to make the leaderboard.

For information on the race dates, please visit www.grantthorntonni.com/GT5K