A group of runners from the Edinburgh branch of UK Superbrand Arcadis took to the streets of the capital on a training run for the Arcadis Business Challenge, which will take place at the iconic Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run.

Arcadis City Executive for Edinburgh, Graham Hill, has passed the running bug onto a group of employees and has inspired them to join him on a team competing in the event, which takes place on Sunday 23 April.

The group of runners have signed up to the Arcadis Business Challenge at the Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run, a ‘race within a race’ that is sponsored by the global design and consultancy firm and takes place in just one month’s time in the heart of the city centre.

The company has offices in Haymarket and workplaces across Edinburgh are invited to join them in entering the Arcadis Business Challenge, which is open to businesses of all sectors and sizes in men’s, women’s and mixed categories.

The Arcadis Business Challenge is designed to help companies promote a healthy workforce while helping raise money for charity or simply have fun as a team by taking part in an activity together. The Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run is inviting businesses of all sizes to sign up and get involved in healthy competition between other companies in the city.

Trophies are handed out to the fastest teams, while any business that enters 12 or more employees will receive an engraved plaque in the name of their fastest runner.

The four fastest times posted by each business are accumulated to determine the winners.

Paul Bekkers, one of the runners representing Team Arcadis, said: “We are all very much looking forward to the Arcadis Business Challenge at the Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run. It’s a great way for us all to bond as a team whilst hopefully reaping the benefits of being more active.

“Part of my job role includes a lot of working time spent in an office so it’s going to be fun to get out there with our colleagues and take part in something so challenging around our local area that will encourage team building. Hopefully the Scottish weather will be kind to us over the next few weeks of training.”

Over 4,000 runners are due to take part in this year’s Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run that is the only running event that takes participants through the very heart of Scotland’s capital city.

The event has been a permanent fixture in Edinburgh since 2005 and is considered one of most scenic city centre running events in the world, passing iconic landmarks such as the historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Greyfriar’s Bobby.

Runners can cover the traditional 10-mile distance, which starts and finishes in Holyrood Park before heading into the city centre and returning around Arthur’s Seat, offering fantastic views of Edinburgh.

The 10-mile event has received a great response from runners of all abilities, including complete beginners, club runners and fundraisers who are looking to take on an exciting challenge for charity. Those looking for a shorter running route can also experience the beautiful course through the brand new 5 mile route, which is the perfect stepping stone to the main event.

Graham Hill, Arcadis City Executive for Edinburgh, said: “We have a long association with Edinburgh so joining together with Great Run to put on this event in the city is a really exciting next step for us.

“As a business, we’re all about improving people’s quality of life so we’re extremely proud to be involved in putting an event like this on that captures the imagination and gives the city’s economy a boost.”

Vairi Smith, from the Great Run Company, organisers of the Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run, said:

“The Arcadis Business Challenge is always a popular choice for work colleagues who relish the opportunity to engage in some friendly rivalry with other businesses.

“It is a fun and unique way to get involved in the event and we’re delighted to have the team from Arcadis, the challenge’s title sponsor, taking part.”

For more information on the Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Run and to enter teams in the Arcadis Business Challenge, visit http://www.greatrun.org/edinburghbusiness