Member Article

UKFast Returns as Headline Sponsor for Greater Manchester Runs

Manchester-based hosting provider UKFast has agreed a three-year contract extension with sports travel company Sports Tours International; retaining the headline sponsorship of both the City of Manchester 10K and City of Salford 10K.

The deal also sees UKFast become the Corporate Partner for each of Sports Tours International’s other North West events – which include the iconic Tour of Tameside, The City of Preston 10k and the Jingle Bell Jog in Media City.

In 2019 Sports Tours International announced the launch of its new charitable initiative, The Running Bee Foundation. The foundation works with local communities to fund healthy and active lifestyle initiatives and help fight childhood obesity via the profits made from each event and by making funds available through grant applications.

UKFast and its CEO Lawrence Jones are committed to supporting the newly launched foundation through the events, in partnership with Sports Tours International.

UKFast has a reputation as a company with health and wellbeing at the core of its culture, with an on-site gym at its campus offices, a full-time wellness coach, a running club which meets each lunchtime and a yoga teacher who attends twice a week to deliver sessions to staff.

Commenting on the partnership, UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones MBE said: “The relationship with Sports Tours International to this point has been fantastic. The culture of the two companies is very similar and it’s inspiring to connect two businesses with such energy and enthusiasm for health and wellbeing.

“The partnership is a positive for the whole area. Through the Running Bee Foundation, our goal is to inspire as many people as possible to adopt a more active lifestyle. We want to get the whole region bouncing with energy!”

Chris Bird, CEO of Sports Tours International said: “We are delighted to extend this great partnership with a really strong national brand. We want to work with the best and UKFast has proven over the years that that’s exactly what it is.

“The relationship with someone like Lawrence, who really believes in the kind of initiatives we’re supporting, is incredibly important. It’s a great business association but it’s also a true partnership.

“We’re adding new races and growing the participation in each event, but our ultimate goal is to give back more profit each year to every community that we operate in through the Running Bee.”

Sports Tours International’s running ambassador Dr Ron Hill MBE is also at the very heart of the continued association and the foundations work.

Dr Ron Hill commented: “At age 80 I cannot emphasise enough how important keeping active is, no matter how old you are. Running has been my life, and now walking is my everyday activity. Having UKFast supporting our events and the foundation ensures we inspire more people to get active.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tim Parker .