DOUBLE Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes was hoping some of her athletic talent would rub off on staff when she paid a visit to Norwich Union's offices in York.

Dame Kelly knows the city well as she worked as a physical training instructor at Imphal Barracks in Fulford Road between 1989 and 1993.

The gold medal-winning middle distance runner tried to encourage staff to take to the starting blocks by signing up for a 10k race.

Publicising the event, Dame Kelly handed out leaflets and led a motivational talk and signing session at the insurance firm's offices.

The company is encouraging both serious runners and dressing up dedicatees to take part in the competition, which aims to attract more than 2,000 runners to London, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Workers who felt they would not be able to survive the 10k slog have been invited to take part in a fun 5k relay, which will be held in York.

The 10k Norwich Union competition will kick off on Sunday June 3, starting at Greenwich Park in London. After the first runner has crossed the finishing line in London the run will move to Liverpool, and then to Glasgow.

The York 5k relay will take place on June 12.

Tanya Veingard, head of sponsorship at Norwich Union, said: "As the team behind UK Athletics we want to inspire our staff to support athletics from playground to podium.

The Norwich Union 10k and the Staff 5k Relay both give our staff the opportunity to take part and show their support, irrespective of ability - whether they are a running fanatic or a fancy-dress clad enthusiast they'll all be welcome to get behind this event."

To register for the event, go to www.cityvcity.com