There are circled dates on your calendar every year. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Holidays. Opening day for your favorite sport or other recreation.

In the New York City business community, one of those eagerly anticipated dates is the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge.

"This is my fifth year serving as a (Corporate Challenge) team captain, and I'm grateful to have the full support of our firm in putting together a great evening for our colleagues,” said Jonathan Mason, from law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. “We're a small firm, but a big family, and this night gives us the chance to come together around something other than our work. It's something we all circle on our calendars each spring.”

And the Corporate Challenge, Mason added, is perhaps more important than ever.

“Though we still all work together from a single office here in Manhattan, this new, post-pandemic work environment means we don't always connect as much with one another as we once did,” Mason continued. “(At the Corporate Challenge) we're all on one team and having a great time together and memories made here will follow us back to the office."

The 45^th running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge at Central Park attracted a sold-out crowd of 30,000 runners, joggers and walkers from 828 companies for its two nights of competition and camaraderie, May 29-30. That represented a 13% increase in the number of participating companies from 2023 as the event continues to rebound substantially following a two-year layoff (2020-21) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s inspiring to see New York City’s business community continue to come out in full force for the Corporate Challenge over four decades,” said Brian Lamb, Northeast Segment Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries and Head of Community Impact Banking for JPMorgan Chase. “Over these two nights we had more companies out here on the 3.5-mile race course than any year since 2011. The energy and team unity we felt in Central Park is the reason our clients and peers find the Corporate Challenge a valuable opportunity to engage with and support one another and their teams.”

JPMorgan Chase had the largest team over the two nights with 2,074 entrants. American Express followed with an impressive 899, Morgan Stanley had 700, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) 500.

HSS is a long-time annual participant, and it comes out in big numbers because of the valuable role the Corporate Challenge plays in its Human Resources toolkit.

“The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge offers HSS staff a unique opportunity to unite outside of the hospital setting, to strengthen our bonds and reinforce the collaborative spirit that fuels our commitment to delivering the highest quality patient care," says Mary Cassai, MPA, RN, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at HSS. "HSS's participation demonstrates our dedication to the health and well-being of both employees and the communities we serve."

The individual competition on both nights was outstanding, but Thursday set the standard. Not only for New York, but the entire 2024 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series.

Colin Daly, running for investment management firm Blackstone, completed the 3.5-mile course in a scorching 16:43 (4:47 mile pace) to win the male individual title. Daly’s official time is the fastest in the 2024 Series and defends his 2023 New York Corporate Challenge individual title.

Alex Cadicamo, running for Major League Baseball, was equally superb. Her time of 19:42 (5:38) was also the best thus far in the 2024 Series, and it was her fifth overall Corporate Challenge title in Central Park.

On Wednesday night, Andrew Kent, running for consulting firm Guidehouse, was the male individual champion in 16:51. At that moment, it was the best time in the 2024 Series.

Amanda Chang turned in an outstanding effort also, winning the Wednesday night female individual title. Running for private equity firm Kohlberg & Company, Chang broke the finish line tape in 20:54.

All entrants realize a long-term win through the relationship of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge New York with beneficiary Central Park Conservancy. J.P. Morgan will celebrate the Corporate Challenge through a donation to the manager of Central Park, with the funds supporting the Conservancy’s mission to restore, manage and enhance the Frederick Law Olmsted designed gem. The Corporate Challenge’s partnership with the Conservancy dates to the not-for-profit’s founding in 1980. It is the longest continuous beneficiary relationship in the Series.

The powerful combination of competition, community and camaraderie annually brings out the best in the New York business community. Take it from one of the Big Four accounting firms.

“Who knew accountants and consultants could run so fast? The sight of Deloitte professionals cheering each other on was a powerful reminder of the unity and camaraderie that defines our culture,” said Mark Hammerschmidt, Team Captain for Deloitte. “Our colleagues not only ran for themselves but for each other, supporting and cheering each other on, embodying what it truly means to be part of the Deloitte family. The 2024 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, with its mix of competition and camaraderie, perfectly captured these values.”

There’s a trip overseas and a milestone event next on the docket for the 48th year of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series. The 30th running of the Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt, Germany will be held on Wednesday, June 5, with a crowd of over 63,000 registered.