A husband and wife team from WR Refrigeration were among the 15,000-strong field of runners in the recent Bupa Great Birmingham Run.

Managing Director Mike Nicholas and wife Rebecca joined the line-up for the top midland’s half-marathon, which included Ethiopian long distance legend Haile Gebrselassie.

Mike and Rebecca clocked up a time of 1:43:10 and raised £1000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Mike took up marathon running four years ago as a way of keeping fit. “It’s also a great way to de-stress and think things through,” he says. “Once a year, we try and raise money while we run to help people less fortunate than ourselves.”

His most memorable run to date was the Edinburgh full Marathon – completed last year – which takes in some of the great sights of the couple’s favourite city. “This is the first marathon we have run all the way round together, which was great fun”, he says.

Was there any temptation - on either side - to make a last minute dash for the line?

“We are both very competitive, which adds spice to the running,” he says. “Rebecca beat my time in the Edinburgh Marathon by one minute! But I have the fastest personal best for a half marathon of 1:38!”

The intrepid couple’s next outing is the Turkey Trot in Keyworth, Nottingham, in December, a half marathon that raises money for the local scout group.

“It is good fun and there is plenty of fancy dress!”

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