Johannesburg, 14th March 2024 – A remarkable turnout of 15,000 employees representing 355 companies convened at the Wanderers Club for the 19th edition of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® in Johannesburg on Thursday night. The event saw the energetic participation of distinguished Laureus South African ambassadors, adding a touch of prestige to the vibrant atmosphere.
In a nod to both fitness and celebration, this year’s event delivered an elevated experience with the renowned Mzansi Youth Choir’s performance post-race, offering a delightful conclusion to the annual 5.6 km road race.
Bringing together a mix of corporate teams, ranging from fresh talent, to seasoned professionals, the evening highlighted the spirit of workplace wellness, camaraderie and team bonding. The race has become a cherished tradition at the Wanderers Club, dating back to 2004.
Kicking off the 2024 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® Series, the Johannesburg event marked the beginning of a global movement promoting workplace fitness that has been thriving since 1977, which will make sixteen stops across eight countries and six continents this year..
Under the Johannesburg night sky, participants from diverse companies relished the opportunity to engage in a shared activity that fosters camaraderie, and enjoyment among colleagues.
The fastest male and female contenders blazed to victory, as they crossed the finish line in blistering sub 18:00 and sub 22:00 performances respectively to secure their podium medals.
Representing Impala Platinum, and for the second year running Edward Mothibi was the first man to cross the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® finish line in a time of 17:18.
Representing Discovery Bank, Renata Vosloo was the first woman to cross the line with a time of 22:00.
Some of the largest participating companies includes Investec, Absa, and Standard Bank Group, with Investec once again leading the pack in terms of the largest participation.
Since 2014, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has been the proud beneficiary of the Corporate Challenge, thanks to the generous support from J.P. Morgan made on behalf of all participants. Every year, the event contributes significantly to the Foundation, benefiting 35 individuals in South Africa. To date, over R80 million has been raised by the Foundation, positively impacting the lives of more than 100,000 young individuals.
The event also saw corporate teams sharing the track with esteemed Laureus South Africa ambassadors and celebrities, creating memorable moments through the streets of Melrose and Birdhaven. Notable figures such as Akani Simbine, Deshun Deysel, Saray Khumalo, Elana Afrika, and Bryan Habana added to the excitement of the occasion.
The next stop of the 2024 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series will be in Singapore on the 11th of April, continuing this global initiative for workplace fitness and camaraderie.
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