The firm is sponsoring Athletics Ireland’s Corporate 5K Team Challenge, previously known as the GT5K, for the next three years. The docklands run is a mainstay in the social running calendar.

Olympian runner Catherine McKiernan and Dublin GAA star Dean Rock have been named as the ambassadors for this year’s ALG5K, which will take place on Tuesday 10 September 2024.

Since retiring from competitive running, Ms McKiernan has devoted her time to teaching the mechanics of safe, injury free running.

Mr Rock, having won eight all-Ireland medals for Dublin and winning two All Star medals, understands the links between physical and mental wellbeing and is a testament on how to balance that within a busy work environment.

Speaking at a launch event today, Ms McKiernan said: “I am delighted to be involved in the inaugural ALG5K! I know the ALG5K team has some great plans over the next few months, to encourage participants of all fitness levels to register.

“We can all expect a great buzz on the night of the 10th of September around the city so I urge everyone to get their entry form in early!”

Mr Rock said: “After competing in a semi-professional sport for over 15 years, I am proud to be involved in an initiative that promotes a health and fitness focus in the workplace.

“It also promotes some healthy and fun competition — which I am no stranger to — with participants from across different departments and from across different businesses challenging each other to take on the ALG5K challenge.”

The ALG5K opens for registrations today, 20 March 2024, with an early bird registration fee of €100 per team until 30 April.

The event welcomes participants from across the city and country of all abilities, from seasoned runners to complete beginners. Primarily a team event with four participants on each team, the run can also be completed individually. Team members’ times are combined to determine the winner in each category. There are three categories; male, female and mixed.

David Widger, managing partner at A&L Goodbody, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring an event that helps promote health and wellbeing, and some fun, across the business community. The run has grown from strength to strength over the years, and we’re looking forward to building on that success.

“This team event is so beneficial for co-workers giving them the opportunity to get away from the desk — day to day, build a team and focus together on staying active. The ‘challenge’ part of the run will hopefully encourage some friendly and healthy competition within businesses and even across the business community.”

Hamish Adams, chief executive of Athletics Ireland, added: “We are thrilled to be working with A&L Goodbody on the Corporate 5K team challenge.

“ALG’s sponsorship of this event allows for it to support DePaul as well as supporting our Junior High-Performance Athletics programmes. These programmes provide support and expertise to close to 100 of our emerging young athletes to help them fulfil their potential.”

All participants will receive a virtual goodie bag and the first ever ALG5K T-shirt with a chipped numbered bib that will digitally track their performance.

They will also receive a social media ‘ALG5K challenge image’ allowing them to announce their participation on their social media platforms and tag who they want to ‘challenge’ to participate in the 5k too.