SINGAPORE, April 11, 2024 — Ever since its 2004 debut in Singapore, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge has been a hot ticket. The 3.5-mile (5.6km) team road race is fully inclusive, with spots open for runners and walkers of all skill levels, and that makes it an attractive company outing.

So much so that senior managers at major corporations not only fully support the event but are willing to give up their spots at the starting line. No favoritism for the corner office.

“The event is open to all employees in Chevron Singapore. There is strong interest from Chevron Singapore employees, with slots filled up within a day,” said Law Tat Win, Singapore Country Chairman for Chevron. “We have a long waiting list. No exception for senior management, it’s on a first come, first served basis.”

The 19^th running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Singapore welcomed more than 10,500 entrants from over 300 companies, with about a quarter of them making their Corporate Challenge debut.

Valerie Tan, Document Analyst for Cargill, who is a first-timer to the race, views the Corporate Challenge as the ideal venue to bring together all job titles at the company.

“Senior management is highly supportive and will lead by example by participating in the event alongside us,” Tan said. “Their active involvement not only breaks barriers but also fosters interaction and understanding between management and employees. This demonstrates a commitment to a positive company culture and encourages greater participation from all levels of the organization.”

Tan was also looking forward to the race for its post-race food, music and entertainment at the Hospitality Village.

“Many of my colleagues rave about the after race lineup — food, drinks and the opportunities to network. It is one of the times where they can connect outside work, in a chill setting,” Tan said. “For colleagues who are not avid runners, what they value is the shared experience of coming together as a team to achieve a common goal while also enjoying the opportunity to bond outside of the workplace.”

The outstanding crowd was led by Credit Agricole, which brought 273 entrants to the Marina Bay starting line. Agency For Integrated Care (270), Jacobs International Consultants (225), Visa (210), Chevron Singapore (200), Aon Singapore (176), GIC (164), BlackRock (150), Cargill International (125), and United Microelectronics (125) filled out the Top 10 largest companies.

“As soon as we opened up the registration at our company, the 150 slots we have are subscribed within 20 minutes!” said Neil Stark, Managing Director, APAC Head of Client Experience Delivery for BlackRock. “It’s a great way to bring people together. It’s inclusive. There is a real carnival atmosphere to it. Upbeat event, lots of smiling faces. There’s a healthy sense of competition, whether it’s to beat your own time or to have more people from your team joining and celebrating the event.”

Esther Tan, National Operational Key Account Manager for Kuehne+Nagel Singapore and Malaysia, had strong emotions in her describing her company’s participation in the Corporate Challenge.

“Being able to represent my organization in the world’s largest corporate running event fills me with immense pride,” Tan said. “Moreover, it provides an excellent opportunity to foster a stronger camaraderie among our Kuehne+Nagel family and the wider community.

“The chance to connect outside work, especially at such a prestigious event, motivates us,” Tan continued. “It will create lasting memories and provide an opportunity to emphasize the significance of work-life balance in addressing mental health.”

For all entrants who will be motivated to hit the roads and treadmills today in an effort to improve their mile pace, their inspiration is Jasmine Teo.

Teo, running for ICE Singapore, earned her fifth J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Singapore female individual title, crossing the finish line in 21:50. Her winning times through the years show her enduring talent — 21:53 in 2017, 22:29 in 2019, 21:17 in 2022, and 21:24 last year.

Shaun Goh, representing Fortinet Singapore, also returned to the winners’ circle in the male division. Goh broke the finish tape in 17:36, a nice improvement over the 17:59 he clocked in 2023 while winning his first Corporate Challenge title.

Rainbow Centre returned for the third consecutive year as the beneficiary of this year’s Corporate Challenge in Singapore. The non-profit organization envisions a world where persons with disabilities are empowered and thriving in inclusive communities. They work with their partners to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to make the most of their abilities and participate meaningfully in society.

And once the last celebrating entrant filed out of the hospitality village, the focus turned to the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge — the 20^th in Singapore.

For long-time participant Ashraf Ali Mohamed of Kuehne+Nagel Singapore and Malaysia, who ran his first race in 2015, the Corporate Challenge event has become more inclusive and popular over the years.

“Since my first race, there have been more companies and individuals joining the challenge, making it a larger and more exciting event,” said the National Sea Logistics International Supply Chain Manager. “The race route has changed over the years, which keeps the challenge interesting. Another change is the inclusion of new and diverse activities and challenges. In addition to the traditional running race, there are now options for walking and other pre-event fitness activities online or in person.”

Wei Han Ong, Senior Country Business Manager for South and Southeast Asia and Location Leader for the Singapore Corporate Centre, J.P. Morgan, said: “Every year we are humbled by the support of the business community, and it gives us the motivation as we gear up for next year’s 20^th running milestone.”

Singapore was the second stop in the 2024 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series, following the March 14 Johannesburg event. The Series next visits Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, May 9.