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Running in South Africa The global appeal of running stretches across cultures and continents. That was made clear once again in the beauty of Johannesburg when the South African city hosted the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. More than 11,000 runners participated and partied. As an ambassador for the Series, I was privileged to be invited to Johannesburg. What I saw was a tremendous success, a true-life example of people choosing running as a way to stay fit and healthy. You may think that the event is somewhat different in this part of the world where they have another culture and way of life, but that is not the case. As is the case at all JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge races, Johannesburg had wonderful organization. Not even a shower could dampen the post-race activities that spread from corporate tents to a lively concert by Dr. Victor and the Rasta Rebels. Everything was very classy and professional. What I also saw at Johannesburg was an affirmation of the universal appeal of the original idea that launched the Corporate Challenge - encouraging fitness with a non-intimidating distance of 3.5 miles (5.6 km) and providing an opportunity for camaraderie with a team event and post-race festivities. Corporate fitness is a big issue in the South Africa, as it is in the US and other places, and the Corporate Challenge gives everyone motivation and inspiration to start exercising. It's why the Series has spread to five continents and attracts more than 200,000 participants. And why it continues to grow in places such as Johannesburg, which became the largest second-year gathering ever in the history of the Series. I enjoyed very much being at the event in Johannesburg, where you could feel the energy and team spirit among the participants. The course was quite challenging, going through a nice, but hilly neighborhood. The race was very competitive with many strong runners. I kind of expected that since running is a very popular sport in South Africa. It was a nice surprise for me to meet with some of my old competitors from track and marathon running. Long distance running has a long tradition in South Africa, and the race everybody talks about is the Comrades, 89 km with 15,000 participants. It is a common expression that you are not a runner if you haven't run the Comrades. I am very happy that is not the definition of a runner. I am a runner and so is everybody else in the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. My days in Johannesburg were quite busy. In additional to media interviews, I got to visit companies and meet their runners. This part of my job I really enjoy. Everybody is excited and also anxious about the race and we talk race strategy, preparation and training. The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge is not only about corporate fitness and running, it also is about what the event can do for the local community. In Johannesburg, the beneficiary was the Sparrow Schools for disadvantaged children. I visited one of the schools and met with the students and got to watch them learning skills like cooking, sewing, mechanics and handcraft. As a former school teacher, this was a special treat for me. I am glad I got this opportunity to see and learn about another culture and its runners. The JP Morgan people in Johannesburg made it a successful visit and a put on a great event. Too bad the days went by so fast. Now, it is your turn. Get your team registered for the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge in or near your city. It's easy. You can register right online. Then, train for the event and plan to have a fun time with your comrades on race night. You can do this, as 11,000 happy participants showed in Johannesburg. |
