Businesses run the City as Barclays wins the 2015 Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, with appearances from Will Greenwood, Lizzy Yarnold and Michael Bloomberg
The area around Guildhall was overrun with the City's fastest runners, who switched their suits for running gear to take part in the 2015 Bloomberg Square Mile Relay yesterday.
On the eve of the Rugby World Cup, Will Greenwood, part of the England 2003 World Cup winning side, was on hand to start the race – in which teams of 10 runners take one lap of the mile course each. Greenwood was joined by Bloomberg L.P. Founder and 108th Mayor of New York Mike Bloomberg.
What a great man – @mikebloomberg. Had a a great time starting @squaremileLDN with you. #werunthiscity pic.twitter.com/JaFppgIHEN
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) September 17, 2015
Rival companies battled it out over the unique one-mile course, with Barclays coming in in first place, crossing the line in a time of 53:39 seconds. In addition to the bragging rights of the City, the winners also secured a cheque for £5,000 for the charity of their choice, which was Richard House Children's Hospice.
And the winners donating £5,000 to charity @RichardHouseCH are @BarclaysUK Congratulations! #WeRunThisCity pic.twitter.com/0jEYEPSLA7
— Bloomberg Square Mile Relay (@SquareMileRelay) September 17, 2015
The winning side’s closest rivals – J.P. Morgan – secured a time of 54:36, falling just short of the top prize to take second place, ahead of Trayport. City A.M. was pleased with its contribution as part of a media team, which finished 11th.
Competitors were cheered on by a huge crowd of supporters at the Guildhall Yard.
Also in attendance was the reigning Olympic, World and European Skeleton Champion Lizzy Yarnold, who awarded the winning teams and individual runners with their prizes.
Team captain of the winning team Stephen Whitehead said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won – it was a great race with J.P. Morgan. We train with them weekly so it was fun to go head to head tonight. It’s such a great event to be part of.”
On the individual front, Jonathan Poole of Commerzbank impressed with a remarkable fastest course time of 4:48.
The ninth edition of the annual event saw more than 1,000 City workers pound the streets down alleyways and up staircases, with the start and finish line situated at the Guildhall Yard. The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay baton is now passed to Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong where the races will take place on 1 October, 15 October and 5 November respectively.