Companies Compete During Corporate Challenge

April 21, 2010

Area businesses are again gearing up to outperform their competitors, but not in the traditional sense. Rather, they’re looking to best one another during this year’s Corporate Challenge, a Bellin Run program.

Nearly 200 Green Bay-area companies and 2,199 employees so far have signed up to compete during the 34th annual, 10K (6.2-mile) Bellin Run at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 12, trying to see which businesses can post the best finish times, secure the highest participation rate, and eventually claim bragging rights until next year’s event.

“The Bellin Run Corporate Challenge is a win-win for everybody involved,” said Carol LeGate, Corporate Challenge coordinator. “Employees gain better camaraderie amongst their colleagues and reap the benefits of consistent exercise, while employers gain a more health-conscious and generally more positive workforce.”

The Bellin Run, held annually in Green Bay, is one of the region’s premiere sporting events and has grown to become one of the largest 10K races in the nation. In 2009, the event drew 16,746 registrants – a Bellin Run record. The Corporate Challenge last year drew 130 company teams with 5,311 participants, 1,042 of which were first-timers.

Companies participating in this year’s event range in size from 10 employees to more than 2,000. The number of members on each team ranges from two to more than 200 members. Teams may opt to run or walk the Bellin Run. Participation by Corporate Challenge teams is tracked for the presentation of participation and timing awards at race day’s end.

One local company taking on the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge is Wipfli LLP, CPAs and Consultants. As the lead sponsor of the program and participant since 2004, Wipfli regularly challenges its employees to incorporate wellness year round.

“Health and wellness is vital to employees everywhere as well as their families and friends,” said Ken Krueger, Corporate Challenge coordinator for Wipfli. “With the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge, we’ve been able to take wellness participation to another level by incorporating healthy living in everything we do. Employees of all skill levels can get involved and meet new people within the company who they may not have known before. It’s a great way to promote camaraderie across all departments.”

There is no charge to companies to join the Corporate Challenge. Employees pay the normal Bellin Run registration fee. However, participating companies and employee teams enjoy the benefits, including an employee training program, pasta dinner discounts, free Corporate Challenge training T-shirts and much more.

For more information about the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge, or to sign up, contact Linda Maxwell at (920) 217-5695 or Carol LeGate at (920) 680-6262 or visit www.bellinrun.com.