A team of 13 runners from BDO Guernsey took part in this year’s half marathon Milk Run which took place on Sunday 17 June.
Samantha Gervaise-Brazier, Zoe Jackson, Steve Desmond, Tinotenda Munengwa, Inocent Matema, Nick Le Huray, Natalie Dodd, Munyaradzi Munzwebiri, Trymore Masasi, Takudzwa Vimbe, Ayron Zabiela, Elliot Berry and Zak Damarell have been training for the run since March.
Whilst some of the competitors are seasoned athletes, others were beginner runners when they first started training and have made great strides towards their goals with the help of their more experienced colleagues. The firm has an active wellbeing committee with staff regularly getting involved to challenge themselves and make positive changes.
Mr Vimbe has been building up his distance in order to take on a double challenge. He completed the Jersey Half Marathon the weekend before in a time of 2hr15. He has been hoping for times under 2hr30 so was in good form ahead of Sunday’s race which he completed in a time of 2hr7.
Ms Jackson was a novice runner back in March when she signed up to join Team BDO and has gradually been building up her distance: “After a few team runs along the seafront I was running 5km. Two weeks ago I ran 8 miles by myself without stopping! I have been really motivated by seeing other non-runners taking on the challenge.”
The rest of their BDO colleagues were not sitting idly by, though. At Port Grat, about 5 miles into the route, some of the firm’s employees arranged for an additional water station offering refreshment and encouragement to the passing runners. In keeping with the firm’s commitment to reducing single use plastics, water was provided in recyclable paper cups.
Guernsey Athletics Director for Endurance, Paul Ingrouille, said: “We thank BDO for providing an extra station this year. It was for those preferring cupped water and/or those that need to refill their own water belts. This was part of an initiative to reduce plastic use and also recycle the plastic we do use.”
“Our team of runners really put in the miles in preparation for the race which was a great personal challenge, for both experienced and novice athletes. Unfortunately, there have been a few injuries which took some of our colleagues out of the running but I am really proud of the team spirit that’s come through across the business for the event,” said Richard Searle, BDO’s managing director.
“Each one of our team members has worked hard to reach their goals and we’re all very proud of them here for what they achieved on Sunday.”
The Father’s Day Half Marathon saw runners race the 13.1 mile course from L’Eree to Town with around 600 competitors.
