The Black Country shopping centrel is encouraging shoppers from across the region to put their best foot forward and take part in a charity Fun Run on Sunday 27th January.

intu Merry Hill has joined forces with Pure Gym to host the event, which will raise money for local charities.

The team at Pure Gym will be getting pulses racing with a fun warm-up session on the lower mall outside of M&S with every runner receiving an exclusive intu water bottle and wristband for taking part along with free gym day passes being handed out to the most enthusiastic participants. Once runners have warmed up, they’ll race their way through the centre before it opens for Sunday trading, past Marks & Spencer, Natwest, Two By Two and Primark, before finishing back at Marks & Spencer. 

A few lucky runners will be in with a chance of winning a variety of intu Gift Cards to spend in any of the centre’s stores once they’ve passed the finish line, to treat themselves after their hard work.

Shoppers wishing to take part will need to sign up on the intu Merry Hill website, then on the day sign in at the Argos entrance at 9:45am where runners will be able to make a suggested donation of £2 to join in the fun for a good cause. Becky Wood, assistant gym manager at PureGym, said:

“We were very happy to get the call from intu Merry Hill to work with them for the fun run for a second year. It’s great to have the opportunity to proactively make a difference to the local community, while remaining fit.” 

Naomi Campbell, community development manager at intu Merry Hill, added:

“The fun run is a great excuse for our shoppers to dust off their running shoes, particularly after the Christmas period. Whether you want to run, jog, walk or push a buggy, it’s all about taking part and having fun to raise money for local charities.

“Our partnership with Pure Gym is all part of our commitment to making sure our shoppers lead healthy and happy lifestyles. We are very excited to bring the run back after two years as the event in 2017 was a huge success and we’re anticipating this year to be even bigger.”

The Fun Run is just one of the initiatives intu Merry Hill is holding in January as part of the centre’s commitment to health and wellbeing for its shoppers. The 'Solutions 4 Health' bus will be at the centre, outside Argos, on the 22 January to offer shoppers full health checks.

On the 23 January, The Beacon Centre based next to Asda, will be offering sight awareness advice and on the 30 January Stourbridge Hearing Centre, next to Eat Central, will be offering hearing awareness advice.