ENTER 2008   TIM WEALTHALL MILE £1000 up for grabs for the second year running!

Regional business advisers, Cooper Parry, are to sponsor the £1,000 sub 4 minute mile Challenge for a second year, with the introduction of a £500 reward for a second runner achieving the target.

The challenge relates to the elite runners race within the 2008 Tim Wealthall Memorial Mile, which is organised each year by Notts Athletics Club, in memory of a former member, and which this year will take place on Saturday 26 July at the Harvey Hadden stadium in Bilborough.

Retired Cooper Parry Partner, David Oxland, who is also a Secretary of the athletics club, said: ‘Cooper Parry initiated its challenge in 2007 after I heard that a sub 4 minute mile had never been achieved in Nottingham . The firm offered a first prize of £1,000 including a bonus of £800 if the winner broke the 4 minute barrier. However, adverse weather conditions on the night narrowly prevented the winner from breaking 4 minutes.'

David added: ‘Everyone is hoping that, by announcing the date of the race so early in the calendar year, the club can attract an even better class field than last year and that the full £1,000 will definitely get awarded and hopefully the second prize of £500 will also be paid out!'

Trevor Muxlow, a senior coach with Notts ACs, and organiser of the event, commented: ‘We are really thrilled that Cooper Parry has offered an even better sponsorship package this year. Some people may be surprised that nobody has broken the 4 minute mile before in Nottingham, despite the fact that Roger Bannister broke this barrier in 1954, but the fact remains, that even today, it is still a very tough target.'

The memorial mile has been organised by Notts ACs in memory of Tim Wealthall every year since his death in 1991. Tim was a county standard middle distance athlete who competed for Notts ac in local and national competitions. The event includes mile races for people of all abilities and ages as well as a race for elite women.

Event History

Tim was a county standard 800/1500 middle distance athlete who competed for Notts ac in local and national competitions. He was a local lad from Bilborough who was proud to run for the club. At the age of 26 he had a malignant brain tumour and died leaving behind a wife, four year old daughter and a severely disabled two year old son. This all happened in 1991 and you can imagine the impact on his fellow athletes, family and friends. Members of Tim's family always attend and assist with prize giving. There is normally his mum/dad/sisters/wife/children and nephews etc.

Notts ac have promoted the race in his memory every year since and from about twenty athletes in the first year and now the event regularly tops one hundred competitors. Originally there was just the one race for senior men but due to demand the event now has races to cater for all ages both male and female. There are entries from all over the country and the standards vary from internationals in the senior races to fun runners, young children and veterans in the earlier races. The evening always starts off with a fun run mile for youngsters and older athletes. As the evening progresses the races get faster with athletes being seeded to appropriate races. Each race is timed by qualified officials.

For further details runners can contact Trevor Muxlow tmuxlow@btinternet.com or visit www.nottsac.co.uk for an entry form.

For further information, please contact:

Melanie Campbell

Cooper Parry

Tel:     0115 958 0212

Email:  melaniec@cooperparry.com

Cooper Parry is a regional-based firm of advisers to private business in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. The firm was placed 31st nationally in the Accountancy Age Top 50 firms in 2007 and is verified as the largest independent accountancy firm in the Midlands. It has a focused client team of over 290 including 24 Partners. Derbyshire Business of the Year in 2005, the firm works in all sectors, offers a range of services and was the only UK accountancy firm to be listed in the 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 Sunday Times Best Companies To Work For listing. Cooper Parry achieved Investors in People Champion status in 2007 and were also awarded with 2 Star Status in the 2007 and 2008 Best Companies Accreditation.

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