Greater Manchester

Monster Advice for First in Manchester employees from Olympic Gold Medalist

Training Tips for First Manchester Ahead of Family Bike and Run Event taking place at Philips Park on the 28th June at 10.30am.

Olympic Gold Medalist and member of the Team GB cycling squad, Ed Clancy, took time out of his busy training schedule today to provide some training tips to employees ahead of their participation in the Manchester First Mini Monster at Phillips Park on June 28.

The event, which aims to raise money for Save the Children, is a family fun running and cycling team event. With a family race and an adult race almost anyone will be able to bike or run around the course.

Andrew Wright, Clair Plant and Linda Davies all work in the Marketing Department and took part in the 2008 Mini Monster. However, they were slightly disappointed with their times last year and are determined to improve their performance. So Team Marketeers decided to approach one of Britains best cyclists, Ed Clancy, for some training tips.

Ed said: "I wish Team Marketeers the very best of luck " they will need it! It was great to see such spirit and enthusiasm and Im confident that they will do well tackling the First Mini Monster. Hopefully my tips will help!'

He added: "The First Mini Monster sounds like a great event. It is important that people are encouraged to be more active and take regular exercise, and for me its particularly pleasing to see an event that encourages people to cycle. Phillips Park is a great venue " I regularly train round the park given its so close to the Velodrome " and the course will be ideal for almost anyone to take part. I would love to take on the Mini Monster, but unfortunately I am racing that day. However, I aim to be there in 2010 and I hope the people of Manchester really get behind this years event.'

Rather than finishing around the middle of the field in the adult event Team Marketeers hope with Eds advice to make themselves early favourites to win the First Mini Monster. With a free place for the winners guaranteed at the First Monster Challenge, a 120km team relay duathlon around the shores of Loch Ness, the stakes are high.

"Ed was a great help,' said Andrew Wright. "As a team we thought we would try every trick in the book to improve our performance. Getting advice from an Olympic Gold Medalist is a good start. Hopefully his tips will shave off vital seconds from our time. Our only problem now is getting fit! We cant wait to tackle the First Mini Monster. Roll on June 28!'

Team Marketeers will be taking part in the adult event and will raise money for Save the Children.

Entry to the Manchester First Mini Monster Challenge is only £5 per person (or £20 per team). 25 percent of the entry fee will be donated to Save the Children. To register a team or for more information log on to www.firstmonster.com

The First Mini Monster Challenge comprises two relay races, one for families and one for adults. The family race will see teams of four complete two running sections, each 1.5km long, and two 5km cycling sections. In the adult event teams of four will also take on two runs and two cycles " the run will be 3km and the cycle 10km. In both races, each team member will complete one leg only.