Running for fitness, camaraderie and a good cause
Over 12,000 people hit the streets as JP Morgan Corporate Challenge celebrates 20 years in Singapore
THE sweltering heat and extreme humidity did little to dampen the spirits of more than 12,000 runners as they raced on the streets of the Marina Bay area for the 20th edition of the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Singapore.
The annual event, held on Thursday (Apr 10) evening at the F1 Pit Building, drew participants from over 400 companies including Amazon, Chevron, DBS, GIC, Microsoft, Nike, Samsung, Tencent and Visa. The Business Times was represented by a team of nine, including this journalist.
The JP Morgan Corporate Challenge is the world’s largest corporate running event, which started nearly a half-century ago in 1977 in New York’s iconic Central Park. It is currently staged in 16 locations across eight countries and six continents, with Singapore being the second stop of the global series this year.
Keeping with tradition, JP Morgan will make a donation on behalf of all participants to HWA, formerly known as the Handicaps Welfare Association. The non-profit organisation helps to enhance the quality of life for the elderly and persons with disabilities by providing services such as wheelchair-accessible transportation, rehabilitation, home care, and social services.
On Thursday, the runners were flagged off by JP Morgan’s CEO for Asia-Pacific Sjoerd Leenart, Singapore senior country officer Hong Wai Mei, and Asia-Pacific chief administrative officer Ong Wei Han.
In an interview with BT Weekend, Hong – a banking veteran who took on her current role in October 2022 – shares more about the history of this event and why it will remain a mainstay in the city-state’s business calendar for years to come. This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity and brevity.
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This is the 20th anniversary of the Corporate Challenge in Singapore. How has the event grown over these past two decades?
We have doubled the number of participants since we debuted in 2004. Many are repeat runners who come back year after year. The company teams are getting bigger too, and new clients and corporates want to join us. This year, we have 94 new companies.
The Corporate Challenge is more than just a race. It is a celebration of teamwork, resilience and the shared commitment to health and well-being. We continue to bring together clients and colleagues from diverse industries in the spirit of camaraderie and in support of the local Singapore community. We look forward to many more years of running together in Singapore.
There are many corporate running events these days, as running continues to grow in popularity. What makes the Corporate Challenge stand out?
Ours is the world’s largest corporate running event and we want to make it better every year no matter where it is taking place. It also offers fantastic opportunities for colleagues and friends to come together and bond, especially at the after-run party. It is a fun celebration of fitness and camaraderie, and keeping to the theme of “one part run, one part party”.
Why is the distance of the course so specific, at 5.6 km?
It is exactly two laps of Central Park’s southern loop, which is 3.5 miles long – or 5.6 km. When the event first started (in the United States), it was commonplace to have 5 km races (3.1 miles) on the weekends but the 3.5-mile Corporate Challenge – held on a weeknight in a team format – was unique.
Over the years, JP Morgan has always supported good causes for the Corporate Challenge. This year in Singapore, it is HWA. How was this charity chosen?
We believe in inclusivity. In view of what HWA does – improving the quality of life for the elderly and persons with disabilities – we were glad to select the charity as our beneficiary. The organisation is doing fantastic work in the community and we look forward to working with them closely. On Thursday, 28 HWA representatives and beneficiaries, along with their caregivers, successfully completed a shortened race route.
Are you an avid runner yourself? How do you keep fit amid your busy schedule, and what is your fitness routine like?
I definitely keep myself active by doing brisk walking and practising my swings at the golf range. It is important that people take time out of their busy schedules and focus on their well-being and fitness. This is something that we are really trying to promote among my colleagues as well.
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