1,800 ran in Wollastons Race for Business
Over 1,800 runners from 187 Essex businesses took part in the 11th Race for Business on Wednesday 10 June.
Since the first Race for Business in 1998, we have raised over £315,000 for various charities. Further sponsorship money is already pouring in for the 2009 Race. It is anticipated that the total sum that will be raised for this year’s beneficiary, Farleigh Hospice, will exceed £50,000.
Guest appearances included the Essex County Cricket Club batsman Grant Flower and the local long distance runner and adventurer, Charlie Pitcher. Charlie is best known for his involvement in the America's Cup and Admiral's Cup and the Whitbread and Olympic Yachting Campaigns.
In March this year he ran the Marathon des Sables – the equivalent of five marathons on consecutive days – in the Sahara desert. Despite these achievements, Charlie has yet to face his sternest challenge - taking to the oars and rowing solo in the 2009 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.
Eddie the Eagle, the Essex County Cricket Club's mascot, also joined the official start of the race and cheered runners on. As well as officially starting the race, Grant Flower and Charlie Pitcher also showed their support by joining the runners on the 3½ mile course through West Park and Admirals Park. 
The winner, Gareth Riddell of BAE Systems, completed the 3½ mile run in 16 minutes and 43 seconds. Second place went to Mathew Missen of Independent Living Group who crossed the finish line just 5 seconds behind. Nick Wetheridge of Royal Bank of Scotland took third place in 17 minutes and 6 seconds.
The first woman across the finish line was Loretta Sollars of Essex County Council, who won the Race for Business for the fourth year running. Loretta completed her run in 19 minutes and 2 seconds, with Rebecca Jones of Bank of Scotland coming in second place with a time of 22 minutes and 20 seconds.
The winning team were M & G Investments with Martin Windsor, Laurence Mumford and Phil Claydon picking up the prize with an average team time of 19 minutes 33 seconds. Right Cover Travel Insurance won the corporate team strip prize dressed as lilos.
For further information contact Louise Tedder on 01245 211339 or louise.tedder@wollastons.co.uk
Date added: Tuesday 1st September 2009
Latest updated: Tuesday 9th March 2010