For almost half a year, the employees in Brøchner Hotels have had a running club where they meet once or twice a week for community and health reasons. Usually the members of the little club will run around the lakes, and despite the cold winter people are still running.
“There might have been a few more people in the beginning, but they’ll probably return now that the weather is warming up,” said Toke, the IT Officer of the hotels. He’s actually not particularly fond of running, but he chose nevertheless to give it a chance when a forthcoming skiing trip required him to get in better shape.
Every other week the Brøchner-athletes are helped along by two professional trainers who give advise on running and equipment, and the participants expect to attend both the annual DHL races, where more than 130,000 people come together and run relay, and the Copenhagen half marathon – better known as broløbet – which takes place in mid-June.
Run along
Toke says that it has been very motivating to run with colleagues and nice to see them outside of work. “I’m not sure that I would get it done if it were not for this initiative,” he says.
Anne Marie and Maja from the accounting department agree that the initiative is a good one. Neither have tried running before but they have both been involved in the team from the beginning and are very happy with it. Indeed, so happy that they have agreed to continue even if the offer is closed down. “Then we’ll just keep running ourselves,” says the enthusiastic Maja when she talks about how much people enjoy each others company on the team and how the runs affect both the general mood and the relationships between colleagues.
Good suggestions are very welcome
Mette Brøchner, who’s been the instigator and prime mover in the project is particularly impressed by the newcomers. “They are still hanging in there,” she says. “Some people are of course more ambitious than others, and I think it’s important to make room for involvement on different levels.”
It will soon be time for new social initiatives at Brøchner Hotels, and Mette invites all staff to come up with good ideas, which need not necessarily be about sports or exercise. We want different kinds of offer, so there’s something for everyone. “I am sure these things give people more energy – both at work and at home,” she concludes.
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