West Norfolk firm set the pace for the 2024 Bespak GEAR 10K Corporate Challenge

Main sponsor Bespak raced to victory once again in this year’s GEAR 10K Corporate Challenge.Claiming first place for the second year running, Team Bespak (formerly Recipharm) won in an impressive time of 00:38:23, knocking 20 seconds off their time in last year’s challenge.The Corporate Challenge, which took place on Sunday, May 5 in Lynn, is a hugely popular feature of one of the region’s best-loved charity road runs, the Bespak GEAR 10K.Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the UK’s largest not-for-profit events company was delighted to deliver the event in partnership with West Norfolk Council and Alive West Norfolk.The Corporate Challenge element of the day saw 13 teams of all sizes battle it out to be crowned Team Challenge Champions.Teams included Bespak (Recipharm), Team Edmundson KL, Stephenson Smart, Palm Paper, Maze Group, Brown & Co King’s Lynn, Fraser Dawbarns LLP, Sensient UK, TC Bulley Davey Lister & Co, Flying Flux, Russen & Turner, Accent Fresh LTD and Team WGA.Rather than competing as individuals, teams worked collectively to cross the line in the quickest combined time. The times of the first three team members home are used to calculate the results. Bespak (Recipharm) claimed first place, ahead of Team Edmundson KL who took second place in 00:38:48, just three seconds ahead of third place Stephenson Smart who finished with a time of 00:41:45.Among the Corporate Challenge teams, the fastest male to cross the finish line was Cody Pearman from Team Edmundson KL who crossed the finish in a time of 00:37:06. Clare Band from Team Bespak (Recipharm) was the fastest female to cross the line in a time of 00:47:02.Among the Team Challenge teams, the fastest male to cross the finish line was Gavin Caney from the Maze Group in a time of 00:33:51. The fastest female to cross the line was Charlotte Barrett from Stephenson Smart, in a time of 00:43:52.Leading global pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company Bespak continues to build on it’s longstanding support of the event by remaining title sponsor of the event. Previously part of the Recipharm Group, the company is now known as Bespak following a spin-out from Recipharm earlier this year. This follows years of successful sponsorship and forms a vital part of Bespak’s wider aims to support the local community, increase participation in sports, as well as promoting good health and wellbeing.Darren Hodkinson at Bespak said: “This was another great event for all taking part, whether for individual entry, Team Challenge or the Mini GEAR for all ages and with great school participation.“There was an incredible atmosphere on the day, camaraderie, and community spirit which makes this such a great event we are proud to be part of and encouraging fundraising for many local charities. We are very much looking forward to the Bespak GEAR 10K in 2025.” Alice Liley, sales executive at Run For All said, “It was wonderful to see so many companies from across the city join us for this year’s Corporate Challenge. Well done to everyone who took part and a huge congratulations to Team Bespak on their wonderful achievements.”Families, schools, and friends of all abilities also came together for a morning of sports and fun, taking part in the 1.9Km Bespak Mini GEAR run.As part of their sponsorship, Bespak offered 150 free entries for local schools, as well as a cash prize pot of £2400 for the top three schools who entered the highest proportion of entrants from their school’s intake to share.These schools included; St Martha’s Catholic Primary School, Heacham Junior School, and North Wootton Academy. A great way for parents and children to stay active and healthy together, children were encouraged to fund-raise for the event’s main partner charity, Theresa’s Tiny Treasures.Theresa’s Tiny Treasures is a baby bereavement charity started in 2015 by ex-midwife Theresa Ann McGrath. The charity is offered to families losing a longed-for baby, at any stage of pregnancy and after birth. The charity also offers a service to families who lose a child in infancy or early childhood wherever possible.The day also saw thousands of runners of all abilities and ages take on the Bespak GEAR 10K. Some came for a personal challenge, a few hoped to win and others simply aimed to get around the 10K course, but all helped make the event a brilliant success, with thousands of pounds raised for many local and national charities.As part of the event, runners were encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice or one of the event’s partner charities. This year’s partner charities included; the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, the Purfleet Trust, Break, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Linnets in the Community, the 8:56 Foundation and the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.