The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is taking hold in Dallas-Fort Worth. It’s catching the attention and praise from businesses in multiple industry groups.

Take Pregis, for instance. A leading provider and manufacturer of innovative packaging, Pregis has enjoyed positive growth and was looking for an event to display its pride for the role it plays in the Dallas-Fort Worth business community.

So, Ken Woodfork volunteered to be team captain, and registered a Pregis team for the Corporate Challenge.

“We are a small company, but we are growing rapidly,” said Ken Woodfork, Pregis’ Plant Manager. “Our team registered because we wanted to continue to build our team and to continue to grow not just our business but our working relationships as well. This team works hard and has had tremendous success, so we want to display our Pregis pride and have an evening of fellowship and fun together.”

It was fun in downtown Dallas on this night. After making a dramatic switch in the calendar, moving from the 13^th stop in the 2023 Corporate Challenge Series (October 26) to the third in 2024 (May 9), the 3.5-mile (5.6km) Corporate Challenge, starting and finishing in the Dallas Arts District, attracted a crowd of 1,873 entrants from 54 companies. This represents an increase of 18% in the total number of entries and a 23% increase in the number of participating companies from 2023 (1,587 entrants from 44 companies).

This was the third consecutive year the Corporate Challenge was held in Dallas, though it also was held between 2001-04. Some of the 54 registered companies, like Pregis, were brand new. Others, like global real estate services company JLL, were more thoroughly familiar with the event.

“While this is only our second time running in the DFW market, our JLL team members in cities such as Chicago, New York and San Francisco are also running as well in 2024. Across the nation, JLL will have over 250 participants running this year, and have collectively participated in Corporate Challenges over the last five years,” said Breanna-Lynn Montalvo, Team Captain, JLL. “The slogan is 100% correct when they say, ‘One part race and one part party.’ After the event you can celebrate with your teammates over food, drinks, and music. It’s almost as if you forgot you just ran 3.5 miles!”

That type of enthusiasm is what drives JPMorgan Chase to own and operate the Corporate Challenge.

“It’s so gratifying to get feedback like that,” said Belen Garren, vice chair of the North Texas market leadership team, JPMorgan Chase. “We are partners here in North Texas with every business in some capacity, and it’s rewarding to be able to show our gratitude by operating the Corporate Challenge.”

Garren was at the finish line to greet the best of the best in this race – Mariya Townswick of Kosmos Energy and Jordan Gledhill of Goldman Sachs.

Townswick earned the female division individual title for the second consecutive year, finishing the 3.5-mile course in 22:46. That is three seconds faster than the 22:49 posted in 2023.

Gledhill captured his first Corporate Challenge title, setting the male division pace in 18:46. His Goldman Sachs colleague, Juan Arcila, won the male division last year.

And while the Corporate Challenge does reward speed in its top runners, it equally values the team-building and philanthropic elements it presents to all participants, and even those who just come to root their colleagues on.

“We work hard to help people in our community plan for the good days ahead — and we know it’s important to play hard, too!” said Sam Gookins, Team Captain, Integrity Marketing, an insurance and financial services company. “That’s why we were honored to participate in the Corporate Challenge. It was an amazing opportunity to bring our employees together in a fun and engaging way, connect with other Dallas-based businesses and give back to the community we love. We can’t wait to take part in other Corporate Challenges in the years to come.”

Gookins’ community reference was in relation to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, which enjoyed its first year as beneficiary and marketing partner of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Dallas-Fort Worth. J.P. Morgan donated in celebration of all Corporate Challenge participants to the social change organization that unites the community to create access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive.

The donation also resonated with the employees at Hillwood Development Company.

“Promoting a healthy lifestyle is at the root of our people-first, family-oriented culture at Hillwood,” said Candelario Jauregi, Team Captain, at Hillwood, a real estate investment and development company. “Participating in the Corporate Challenge is a great opportunity for us to bring our team together in a fun, healthy way while uplifting the good that United Way does in our community.”

And, as Oscar Martinez, Director of Communications for CSW Industrials, points out, the benefit of participating in the Corporate Challenge extends way beyond the finish line.

“This fun event allows our team to bond outside of work, and it always benefits a great cause,” said Martinez. “It really feels like an extension of our corporate wellness program, which promotes a healthy lifestyle through diet, physical exercise, and connecting with your community, and I couldn’t recommend it more.”

This is the 48^th year of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series, which shows no signs of slowing down. And businesses see a bright future for the event in the Metroplex.

“Team Andersen was excited to be in this year’s Corporate Challenge! This was our Dallas office’s first race, so we’re grateful to everyone who registered to be part of the team,” said Amanda Leard, Team Captain for Andersen, which provides tax, valuation, financial advisory and consulting services. “Whether our teammates walk or run, getting together and getting active in support of a good cause is what it’s all about. We’re thankful to J.P. Morgan for putting on an event that aligns with our values of community outreach and employee well-being.”

After this success in Dallas-Fort Worth, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series moves on to its fourth event of 2024, in Chicago on Thursday, May 16. It will be the 41^st running in the Windy City.