There’s nothing like college pride. And it was evident in Downtown Rochester for the 33^rd running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, especially for those competing in the colors of St. John Fisher University.

"At Fisher, participating in the Corporate Challenge is more than just an annual event — it's a proud tradition,” said Valerie C. Benjamin, AVP of Human Resources at St. John Fisher. “Over the years, hundreds of our employees have come together not only to compete, but to connect with the community we serve. Each year, we look forward to this truly unique event where we cheer for each other, strengthen bonds, and showcase our Fisher pride."

St. John Fisher is a private University on the city’s beautiful East Avenue, and they were one of 211 companies to take on the Corporate Challenge this year. The total 4,424 participants from those companies represented an 8% increase from 2024, as Rochester continues to fit nicely into a Series that includes major metropolitan markets like Shanghai, London, and Sydney on six continents.

Many of the 211 companies partied following the 3.5-mile race inside Innovative Field, home of the Rochester Red Wings. Six of those companies had 100 or more participants, and they represented remarkably diverse industries: L3Harris (219 participants), Paychex (167), CooperVision (143), Wegmans Food Markets (139), University of Rochester (131), and Rochester Regional Health (106).

“This event is something we look forward to every year because it’s a great opportunity for all our employees from our various buildings and groups spread out around our area to join together for some good times and team building,” said Nina Gravano, team captain for L3Harris, a defense contractor company.

Rochester Regional Health similarly embraced the appeal of after-work camaraderie.

“We are here for it! The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of wellness, camaraderie, and community,” said Danelle Edwards, team captain for Rochester Regional Health. “As one of the largest participating teams, we’re proud to represent Rochester Regional Health and support our employees in moving more, connecting with each other, and living well. It’s also just plain fun to gather our team outside of work and cheer each other on. Most of all, it’s an honor to serve those who serve so many.”

The Corporate Challenge has visited Rochester every year since 1991 and CooperVision goes back to the roots of the event in Highland Park. CooperVision, one of Rochester’s largest employers, not only returns annually to the starting line but has been growing its total participation.

“CooperVision is excited to be once again participating in the Corporate Challenge with our biggest team to date,” said Brian Quinn, the contact lens manufacturer’s team captain. “We have over 1,000 employees across three locations in the Rochester area, and this is a great opportunity for all of us to come together as one team in wellness, fitness and fun”

In terms of the competition on the 3.5-mile Downtown course, it was a familiar but inspiring story.

Trisha Byler, representing International Flavors & Design, won the female individual title with a time of 20:37, her remarkable seventh consecutive J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge title. Byler is unbeaten since this event moved Downtown and no person has won more Rochester Corporate Challenge titles in the event’s history.

In the male competition, Scott Loforte, representing Popli Design Group, was first across the line for a second consecutive year with a time of 17:31. Loforte was also the Corporate Challenge winner in 2022 and a close second in 2023.

Event owner and operator JPMorganChase donated in celebration of Corporate Challenge participants to Education Success Foundation. Elevating an innovative whole-child, cradle-to-career pathway, Education Success Foundation meets students and families where they are and personalizes support to propel them where they are going. The not-for-profit organization currently serves over 2,400 Rochester students.

The ability to assist those students was a driving force behind the participation of Baldwin Richardson Foods, a leading custom ingredient manufacturer.

“The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is a meaningful way for us to live our CARE values—coming together to support wellness, teamwork, and community,” said Emily Kehoe, the Baldwin Richardson Foods team captain. “It’s a chance to step outside the workplace, connect with others, and give back. We’re especially glad to see this year’s proceeds support the Education Success Foundation, an organization we’ve been proud to partner with in helping local students thrive.”

JPMorganChase and its predecessor firms have owned the Corporate Challenge in Rochester since 1991, with the event first conducted at Highland Park from 1991-2003 and then the Rochester Institute of Technology from 2004-16 before its move Downtown in 2017.

It is now five events in three countries down for the 49^th year of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series. The next stop is about 330 miles southeast of Rochester in New York City, when the Corporate Challenge returns to the site of its 1977 debut, Central Park, for two nights of racing on May 28 and 29.