‘Team Phillips’ to run in Basingstoke’s first ever half marathon: Sun 2 Oct
‘BASINGSTOKE is set to get a major boost to its profile and image when the town hosts its own half-marathon on 2nd October and our team of 50 runners is training hard to be among the first back’ says Jon Pender, serial marathon runner and director at Phillips Solicitors.
‘For the first time ever, 2,000 runners will compete and the prospect of being involved in Basingstoke’s very first half marathon was too good to miss. So we decided to partner with organisers Destination Basingstoke, enter 50 runners in ‘Team Phillips’, raise lots of money for charity and participate in the activities on the day.’
Having run all the world marathon majors and raised thousands of pounds for charities Jon Pender is the right person to motivate members of staff, friends and quite a few clients to run for ‘Team Phillips’.
‘The day is guaranteed to be a fun event for families’ says Jon, ‘as well as entering our 50-strong team, Phillips is helping to provide the technical T-shirts, a bouncy castle for families and we’ll be co-hosting the hospitality marquee with Shire Pharmaceuticals, principal sponsors, and Hampshire Clinic. There will be refreshment areas and of course ice creams.
As well as supporting the main charity, St Michael’s Hospice, ‘Team Phillips’ has chosen to raise money for The Rainbow Centre which helps children with cerebral palsy and adults with motor impairments. The work the centre does with children and adults is truly amazing and we shall be proud to run for this charity that makes such a difference to children’s lives.’
Jon concludes ‘Supporting Basingstoke’s first half marathon is just one of the events marking Phillips’ 25th anniversary of serving local people and the business community. Earlier this year our members of staff planted 25 silver birch trees in our local leisure area, as a small contribution towards protecting our natural environment and looking after our planet for the next generation.’
So what good advice does Jon give to runners? ‘Buy good quality running shoes, train by building up your time rather than distance and enjoy feeling how much more ‘oomph’ you will have by being fit. Bring your families, too, for a great day out.’
Contact Phillips Solicitors here