The General Manager of luxury five-star hotel The Grand, York, is swapping hotel corridors for running routes this October to tackle a gruelling 155km challenge in aid of charity.
Adam Dyke is running 5km every single day throughout all 31 days of October to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality Action, an organisation providing financial, emotional, and practical support to UK hospitality workers.
The endurance test marks a huge personal milestone for Adam. Just one year ago, he was unable to complete a single 5km run without stopping, whereas today, he covers the distance in under 30 minutes.
“This challenge means far more to me than just running. I’ve held myself accountable to run as much as I can this year and, lo and behold, each run has gotten easier. Encouraging myself to go for a run hasn’t come naturally, but seeing the improvements, both mentally and physically, has been incredible and motivated me to keep going,” said Adam Dyke.
“In a way, running and hospitality have a lot in common. You have to keep showing up even when you feel tired, and you see improvement through consistency. The industry can be demanding, but it has so much to give. It’s given me so much, and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he added.
Adam is inviting colleagues and fellow hospitality workers across York to step away from their desks and join him for a walk, jog, or run throughout the month. On Saturday 10th October, which marks World Mental Health Day, Adam will lead a group from The Grand to Poppleton Parkrun, hoping local trade workers will come along to take part.
Mark Lewis, Chief Executive of Hospitality Action, added: “Running 5K every day for an entire month is a fantastic feat of endurance, particularly alongside the demands of running a busy hotel. As someone who knows first-hand the pressures and rewards of working in hospitality, Adam understands just how important it is that we look after the people who make our industry what it is. Everyone at the charity will be following Adam’s progress throughout October, and we wish him the very best of luck.”
Anyone wishing to support the cause can donate via Adam’s fundraising page at justgiving.com/page/adamsgrandrun, while local walking, running, and cycling routes curated by the hotel team are available on Strava.
