Runners give Jets' coach Herman Edwards a salute at start.

Rain, wind fail to dampen spirits
as Long Island sets MSE record
Official results | Long Island in photos

Herman Edwards poses with a rain-suit clad fan following the race.

LONG ISLAND, July 27, 2004 -- One look at the determination on the participants' faces as they cut through the wind and rain en route to the finish line said it all. They were there to run a race for a good cause - and partake in a post-event beach party -- and the elements weren't about to get in their way.

A large majority of the more than 8,200 registered competitors from more than 250 companies braved the, at times, torrential rain and biting winds in the 19th annual Long Island JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge at Jones Beach on Tuesday night. And, while they emerged a bit wetter, they also finished the race with a special spirit of camaraderie that the adverse conditions only enhanced.

"The weather didn't dampen the spirits of this group one bit," said Rich Burgess of JPMorgan Chase. "On the contrary, I think they made the best of the situation and it made for even more comradeship out there on the course and back in the tents."

That spirit wasn't lost on New York Jets Head Coach Herman Edwards, who served as the official starter and ambassador of the event and was quite the "trooper" in cheering on runners as they started the race and again as they swam. er, ran, through the finish.

"Runners are like football players," explained Edwards. "Once the race or the game is on, they ignore the conditions and compete to their fullest. What a great example of that here. These folks, from all backgrounds, coming together to celebrate health, fitness and unity - they are a great inspiration and I applaud their efforts."

Edwards a big draw for participants

Edwards' infectious enthusiasm was a big hit with the runners, who were excited to see the well-respected coach. Many stayed around in the Corporate Challenge hospitality village to get autographs or just to shake hands with him, congratulate him on past successes and wish the team good luck in the coming season. The Jets train at Hofstra University, just a few miles away from Jones Beach, and Edwards resides in nearby Old Westbury. His no-nonsense, get-the-job-done attitude seemed to be mirrored in the efforts of those slogging through the 3.5-mile oceanside course.

This marked the fifth consecutive year the Long Island JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge has drawn more than 8,000 participants. With local celebrities like Edwards and hockey legend Pat LaFontaine (2003) serving as ambassadors, this is an event designed to celebrate corporate life on Long Island and the regional community as a whole.

Congratulations were also in order for individual men's and women's winners, Michael Nehr, 24, of Suffolk Boces (17:33) and Donna McMahon, 34, of UPS (21:33), respectively. Both felt they used the conditions to their advantage in claiming victory.

"My strategy was to run out to a quick first mile and try to put some distance between me and the field right away," said Nehr, the 2002 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge champion here and one of the top young runners on Long Island. "The second half of the race was tough, with the wind and the rain, but I felt good out there."

Jets coach Herman Edwards is a draw for media.

"I actually think this was easier than two years ago when it was like 96 degrees at race time," noted McMahon. "There's always the factor of slipping or getting rain in your eyes whenever it's wet, but I'd way prefer this to the heat, any day."

It was somewhat ironic that McMahon crossed the line first wearing the corporate colors of UPS. For years, on the male side, this event was dominated by Don DiDonato of FedEx, another giant in the parcel delivery world. What better spokesperson for an on-time delivery service than a champion runner?

Despite rain, many stayed to enjoy a party atmosphere

From the elite runners like Nehr and McMahon to the hundreds for whom the race was more a chance to catch up with their colleagues and friends at other firms, the evening was a huge success. Ira Halperin, head of corporate practice at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, noticed an enhanced excitement level from the more than 25 competitors from his firm.

"This event just gets better every year," said Halperin. "It was like people were buoyed by it in their togetherness. It's a great event that we'd never miss."

Thanks to a concerted effort by Burgess and his colleagues from JPMorgan Chase, more than 20% of companies were represented by their highest-ranking officer. That's the largest participation by CEOs in the history of the Long Island race and is a testament to the value companies put on the Corporate Challenge series worldwide. The race beneficiary even played a part.

Challenge to MSE participants issued by United Way CEO

"We issued a challenge through Patrick Foye, the CEO of the United Way, to have him challenge as many CEOs as he knew to come out and run," said Burgess. "We'd like to take the momentum from that and from the other participants in this year's race and carry it on to even bigger numbers next year."

The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Long Island benefited the United Way of Long Island, which is celebrating 40 years of changing and improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders. Specifically, JPMorgan Chase is making a donation to the United Way 's "Success By 6" initiative, insuring that all children zero to six are healthy, nurtured and have the best opportunity to succeed.