Wolves are aiming to go one better than last year when they finished as runners-up to Birmingham City in the Ding Dong Derby Cup at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k.
A team made up of the backroom staff are putting their best feet forwards at this year’s event in the Second City, taking place on Sunday, April 30th.
From the Premier League at the tip of the footballing pyramid right down to Sunday league at grassroots level, clubs of all sizes are being invited to enter running teams and compete for silverware.
As well as facing more stiff competition from the pro clubs, the likes of non-league Solihull Moors and Stourbridge are also aiming to give Wolves and their other Midlands rivals a run for their money.
Wolves Head of Medical Phil Hayward said: “The Great Birmingham 10k is an excellent event that our team really enjoyed taking part in last year. We finished second behind a very strong Birmingham City team last time out who all posted times of 40 minutes or less which is excellent going. We have made some small alterations to our team and training is going well so we fancy ourselves to take the big prize this time around!”
The Wolves team currently includes Hayward, first team coach Rob Edwards, analyst Phil Boardman, physio Steve Polley and Under-23s sport scientist Tom Male.
Any football club can compete for the Ding Dong Derby Cup by entering a team of at least four runners, up to a maximum of eight.
The four fastest times posted by each team will be accumulated to determine who is the fittest and fastest club in the region – and secure the ultimate derby bragging rights!
More than 7,000 runners are due to take part in this year’s Great Birmingham 10K. Starting on Jennens Road near Millennium Point, the race takes in sights such as Selfridges, Edgbaston Stadium and Cannon Hill Park before a city centre finish in front of thousands of cheering spectators.
The event is also seen as the ideal training run for anyone entering the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run or inaugural Birmingham International Marathon, both taking place on Sunday, October 15.
The Ding Dong Derby Cup gets its name from a phrase made famous by much-loved West Midlands broadcaster Tom Ross in describing local affairs down the years.
David Hart, Communications Director at The Great Run Company, said: “This is a great chance for the hundreds of local clubs in the region, from all levels of the game, to come together and compete for silverware at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k. May the fittest club win!”
To enter a team into the Ding Dong Derby Cup, visit the Great Birmingham 10k Business Challenge page: www.greatrun.org/great-birmingham-10k/business-challenge
When filling in the ‘name of company’ box, simply type in the football club’s name followed by ‘Ding Dong Derby Cup’.
To enter the Great Birmingham 10k as an individual runner: www.greatrun.org/great-birmingham-10k
Anyone who enters the 10k will receive a £10 discount for either the Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon or Birmingham International Marathon. Also, all entrants for the Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon or Birmingham International Marathon will earn a £10 discount for the Great Birmingham 10k.
To enter the Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon: www.greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run
