Companies Leave Corporate Arena to Compete on the Streets

May 26, 2014

Area businesses are 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.

Nearly 270 Green Bay-area companies and 4,260 employees so far have signed up to compete during the 38th annual, 10K (6.2-mile) Bellin Run at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 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 Linda Maxwell, Corporate Challenge coordinator. “Employees gain better camaraderie with co-workers 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 2013, the event drew 20,000 registrants – a Bellin Run record. The Corporate Challenge last year drew 265 company teams with 5,478 participants, 2,170 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 Jane Jerzak, partner at Wipfli. “With the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge, we’ve been able to take wellness participation to another level by incorporating healthy living through the Corporate Challenge and year-round.”

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 more.

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