News
June 11, 2026
This is the 50th year of the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge, and Buffalo has been forging a path of excellence for most of that time.
The Corporate Challenge has made an annual stop at beautiful Delaware Park since 1981 and this was the 44th complete running. The impressive 2026 crowd totaled 7,137 participants from 247 businesses and the spirit of the gathering was palpable.
"Taking part in the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge each year has become such a wonderful tradition for our firm," Brigid M. Maloney, partner and chair of Lippes Mathias LLP's wellness committee, said. "Collegiality has always been a vital part of our firm's DNA, but when you mix it with the perfect opportunity to get out, represent the firm, and have fun together, we can always expect a strong showing from our employees."
Buffalo is one of only five cities in the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge Series to be in existent for 40 or more years. It is in fact the second oldest. Buffalo joins New York City (47 years), Chicago (43), Boston (40), and San Francisco (40) in the 40+ Club. All those other cities may have a much larger population, but none exceeds this Western New York city in spirit. Picture a Buffalo Bills-energized crowd in sneakers and fitness apparel.
The 10 largest companies in terms of participants were Buffalo Public Schools District (346 participants), Moog (303), Kaleida Health (206), Citi (190), M&T Bank (158), National Fuel (154), Erie County Medical Center (152), Kenmore Tonawanda Unified School District (133), Horizon Corporations (109), and HSBC (108).
Many of those companies go back with the Corporate Challenge for decades. And the event remains relevant year after year because it is constantly being refreshed with new companies from a diverse range of industry groups. Like Eaton, which was celebrating its eighth registration for Buffalo's favorite after-work sporting/social event.
“Eaton’s Mission Systems Division in Orchard Park has proudly participated in the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge since 2017, and it’s become an event our team looks forward to every year," said Brad Balicki, team captain at Eaton. "It’s a great opportunity to step away from the day-to-day work environment and come together as colleagues in a more relaxed, energetic setting while supporting a meaningful cause in the local community."
"Beyond the race itself, the event reinforces what we value as an organization—teamwork, employee well-being, and community engagement," Balicki continued. "It’s a chance to strengthen connections across our workforce and highlight the culture we’ve built here in Western New York. Events like this also help showcase Eaton Mission Systems Orchard Park not only as a leader in aerospace manufacturing, supporting critical defense and space programs, but as a place where people are proud to work and give back."
Buffalo has always had a large crop of highly competitive runners competing over the unique 3.5-mile Corporate Challenge distance and this year was no exception.
The individual winners were Armani Merlino, representing M&T Bank, with a time of 17:07 (4:53 mile pace) in the male division, and Cassie Woody, representing Excelsior Orthopaedics, with a time of 21:20 (6:06 mile pace) in the female division.
Post-race the majority of the 247 registered companies partied past sunset in hospitality tents throughout Delaware Park. And, not surprisingly, one of Buffalo's most decorated food service and hospitality companies was loving the atmosphere.
“I have served as Delaware North’s team captain for the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge in Buffalo for the past three years. It is rewarding to help coordinate an event that brings together so many professionals and promotes fitness and well-being," said Natalie Murphy of Delaware North. "Especially during the busy summer months, we don’t make time for lunches, coffee chats or happy hours with coworkers, so the Corporate Challenge is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues in a more relaxed setting. Plus, our local Sportservice team caters the hospitality tent, which is always top-notch and gives corporate team members the chance to interact with employees working in the field."
The impact of the event will extend long past when the final participant left the park, as JPMorganChase donated in celebration of all Corporate Challenge participants to The 43North Foundation.
The 43North Foundation is making a significant investment in Western New York, ensuring a robust innovation economy. It focuses its investments across four strategic pillars—company creation, talent development, storytelling, and the region's first structured corporate connectivity program around innovation.
Buffalo marked the exact halfway point of the 2026 JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge Series, which is celebrating its 50th continuous year of operation. Eight locations have been visited, with eight to follow, beginning next with Boston on Wednesday, June 24.