The Corporate Challenge runs alongside the main event with teams competing against each other to see who can complete the race in the quickest combined time. Teams must be made up of at least five members, however Leeds Trinity’s 25-strong group of runners makes it the biggest the University has ever entered and the second largest team competing in 2024, beaten only by title sponsors Clarion. 

Sheila King, Sports Development Officer at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Leeds Trinity University has participated in the Corporate Challenge on several occasions since it was launched around ten years ago, however this is comfortably the highest number of colleagues we have had sign up. Staff working in schools and directorates across the University will be taking part, and it is brilliant that we received so much interest. I know that more of our staff will be running as individuals too, so it will be nice to see them as we make our way round the route. 

“A key part of my role at Leeds Trinity is to create opportunities for colleagues to get active and help them feel the physical and mental benefits of exercise, so I’m really looking forward to joining forces with such a sizeable group at the Leeds 10K. The atmosphere at the event is always very positive, and I’m sure we’ll all have a great time and feel a huge sense of achievement when we come together afterwards for pictures with our finishers’ medals.” 

Through their participation in the event, Leeds Trinity University’s Corporate Challenge team is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by MND across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Two members of the Leeds Trinity team – Rachel Feather, Reception Supervisor, and Robyn Stockwell, Assessment Officer – have shared their inspiring reasons behind wanting to run in the Leeds 10K. 

Rachel, who was a keen runner before having to give it up to care for her disabled son, will be taking part in her first race for several years. While training for this weekend’s event, Rachel has rediscovered her passion for running and shared how it supports her mental health. 

Robyn, meanwhile, will be running for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity, who continue to support her after she underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove a tumour in May 2021. Since then, she has completed several running events in order to raise funds and awareness – including the 2021 Leeds 10k, which she ran less than four months after her operation. 

Their stories are available to read on the University website.