On Saturday 6th June 2015 seven members of Whitley Stimpson staff, from three offices, united and Ran the Rock!

The race started from Longburrow Hall, Park Lane in Stokenchurch and the course took place on an undulating, mainly off road course. Runners experienced tracks, fields, woods, footpaths, open lanes, chalk lands, grasslands and even Red Kites.

The Magnificent 7, as they named themselves, consisted of Stuart Haigh and Claire Butler from Bicester, Andrew Jeffrey from Banbury and Vikki Marzana, Adel Pavel, Maria Cunningham and Diana Hawker  from High Wycombe. Clad in their purple running tops with Whitley Stimpson logos, they collected their numbers and congregated for pre-race photographs. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the hills, including one with an elevation of 257 metres, awaited the runners.

After the Zumba warm-up the 238 entrants, made their way to the start. The first part of the course consisted of a steady decline continuing for 2km and was followed by a gentle upwards slope along the valley, against a moderate headwind, for a further 1km. The shade of the trees was welcomed at the 3km marker as the runners entered the woodlands. The first of the steep hills brought the runners out of the woods where they enjoyed the welcome descent to the foot of the second hill. Many of the runners, so far unstopped by the undulations, were forced to walk this; those who had paced themselves, continued up the slope to the point where the 5km runners could turn right and return to the start for their finish line and their well-earned medal and refreshments.

The 10km runners, perhaps wishing they had chosen the 5km option, turned left and continued down a very steep slope towards the bottom of the “killer” hill at the 5km mark. This peak was extremely challenging, with many runners opting to walk to the top. Their efforts were, however, rewarded by a wonderful descent along a cool woodland track followed by a gentle fall for a further 1km before emerging from the woods and into the sunshine. Heading back along the valley towards the 8km marker, this time with a more obvious headwind, the runners now knew what was ahead of them. Repeating the first of the steep hills the competitors were more challenged the second time around. Delighted to emerge from the woodland to make their way down the chalk land to the final steep uphill stretch, the racers ran along the open lane for the final 500m to the finish line.

They were met with cheers of encouragement from fellow competitors and supporters as they completed the race, as well as the voice over the loudspeaker announcing “Congratulations! You have run the rock!”

The Whitley Stimpson crew, slightly dishevelled and sporting their newly awarded medals and huge grins of pleasure, posed for their triumphant team photograph. Basking in the glory of their personal achievements the team, with individuals from three offices, had come together to share in this challenge. The Magnificent 7 had, indeed, Run the Rock!

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Whitley Stimpson is one of the leading independent accountancy practices in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Members of staff from our three offices in Banbury, High Wycombe and Bicester are joining together to run, walk, have fun and raise money for Restore, a charity supporting people with mental health issues in Oxfordshire to recover and get work.

If you are looking for an accountant to provide sound advice, excellent service and deal with all your individual or business financial needs, including advice on corporate finance or taxation. Please visit our website at http://www.whitleystimpson.co.uk/

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