Kelly Chin drives to a victory

NEW YORK, June 9, 2004 - Nick Kypreos, a feisty former left-winger for the New York Rangers hockey team, stood on the starting stage for the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge and let his mind drift back to June, 1994.

"It was the happiest time of my career," Kypreos said. "A million New Yorkers came to a ticker-tape parade to salute our Stanley Cup championship. I looked out at this huge crowd of runners and the vision of that parade came flooding back. There is nothing like the energy and passion of the New York sports fan."

JPMorgan Chase recognizes this, and it has become a tradition at Corporate Challenge events in Central Park to salute great champions from the New York landscape. New York Yankees' baseball legends Don Mattingly and Ron Darling were feted in 2002. The 30th Anniversary of the New York Knicks' 1973 National Basketball Association title was the focus last summer. And on this occasion - the launch of the 28th season of the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge - the featured attractions were two stars from the 1994 National Hockey League champion New York Rangers.

Kypreos joined the greatest Ranger goalie of all-time, Mike Richter, on the start and finish lines, and both received thunderous applause from a crowd of 17,421 participants from 574 companies.

"Let me tell you something," began Lewis Jones, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Head of Corporate Philanthropy and Sponsorships, "I'm from Harlem and hockey was not big in my neighborhood. But we were going absolutely wild in 1994. That was a huge moment for this city, and it's wonderful that we are able to relive it with Mike and Nick."

Rangers a popular attraction on 10th anniversary of title

The Corporate Challenge brought mixed emotions to Frank Amico, a trader for Credit Suisse First Boston.

"I grew up on Long Island as a huge New York Islanders fan," Amico said after finishing the 3.5-mile race in sweaty, 92-degree conditions. "One of my joys as a fan was to be able to taunt the Rangers with chants of '1940,' the last year they won the Stanley Cup.

"Well, when I met Mike Richter here, I told him that he was the reason I can't chant that anymore. I'm still an Islander fan, but I have a lot of respect for him. He was an incredible goalie."

Kypreos played parts of three seasons with the Rangers and was a vocal leader in the New York lockerroom. Richter suited up for the Blueshirts for 14 consecutive seasons and is one of only three Rangers to have his number retired. He's a New York treasure.

"This place is phenomenal," Richter said at the finish line. "It's a pleasure, after all the years New Yorkers cheered for my teams, to be able to come out here and cheer for New Yorkers."

The first runner greeted at the finish line by Richter and Kypreos was a Corporate Challenge legend-in-the-making. Phillipe Rolly of Columbia Presbyterian won the men's title in 17:37, earning his fourth JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge individual title in the last three years. Rolly held off a flock of runners from the Super Runners Shop. The popular New York City running store had employees finish in second, third, fourth and sixth place overall.

Runners head out at the start in Central Park.

Kelly Chin of JPMorgan Chase took advantage of her "home course" to win her first women's title in 20:34. She bested former Corporate Challenge champion Stephanie Hodge of the United Nations by 37 seconds.

"I run here after work every day," said Chin, noting her office at JPMorgan Chase is a short jog away on Park Avenue. "I remember seeing the Corporate Challenge on television when I was a kid, and then I was happy when I joined the firm out of Carnegie-Mellon (University) two years ago. It's a terrific thing to be able to run and bond with your colleagues. I finished fourth last year, had a good experience, and was hoping for a little better this year since I was in better shape."

Chin needed every bit of her fitness on this night as the mercury climbed well over 90 at race time. The shaded Central Park course, along with 15 miles per hour breezes, helped but this was definitely a 3.5-mile endurance test.

"I ran a 3:14 (marathon) in Boston in hot conditions," said Chin, "so that gave me confidence for this race."

Hungate, Gebauer win Most Senior Executive titles

Alex Hungate of Reuters ( 22:18 ) and Julie Gebauer (28:06) of Towers Perrin were the men's and women's Most Senior Executive winners respectively. And their participation caught the attention of the Rangers' Richter.

"I'm back in school now at Yale (business school)," said Richter. "I'm definitely impressed by people who make a commitment to fitness in addition to having a full-time job. It's not easy, and I'm eager to see how I take this next step in my life."

Richter has already created profound memories for Andrew Leone, a trader for Nomura Securities.

"The two greatest sporting events I ever attended, in any sport, were in the 1994 playoffs against the New Jersey Devils," said Leone. "Mike Richter was in net for both games, both victories. I'll never forget either, so it was a pleasure to meet Mike."

The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge also acknowledged another New York icon - spectacular Central Park. JPMorgan Chase, through the Corporate Challenge, made a donation to the Central Park Conservancy, the organization that restores, manages and preserves this Frederick Law Olmsted treasure.

Since 1977, more than 900,000 entrants have taken part in over 70 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge events in Central Park. The 2004 Corporate Challenge Series returns to Central Park on June 23.