Bank of Communications is one of China's six major state-owned banks.

Descente is in the sports clothing and accessory business.

Eaton’s specialty is power management technologies.

What do all three have in common? An affection for participating in the Corporate Challenge Shanghai.

Registration is now open for the 12^th running of the Corporate Challenge Shanghai, scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center. The 5.6km road race, with a 2:30 p.m. start time, is open to all Shanghai businesses, regardless of size or industry group. And there's something for everybody – whether it is keen competition, post-race hospitality, or unmatched camaraderie.

“Our employees recognize the value of health,” said Shi Shuai, General Manager of Financial Institutions Department at Bank of Communications. “It’s important that we continue to develop our personal and physical well-being alongside our professional growth. We’ve been proud to participate in every Corporate Challenge since its debut in Shanghai in 2011.”

Eaton was also at the 2011 starting line with Bank of Communications, bringing an impressive 152 employees that first year. Enthusiasm since has never wavered.

“For us, the unique attraction of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is that it is a team event,” said Ali Hu, Director of Asia Pacific Regional Compensation & Benefits for Eaton China. “There is a strong sense of identity and collective pride, where employees are not just individual contestants, but also ambassadors of the company’s culture, competing alongside many other organizations.”

Nearly 4,000 runners and walkers of all skill levels from 182 companies participated in the 2024 Corporate Challenge Shanghai. This year’s event will welcome many new companies. Among them, Descente will be forming a team to take part in the race for the first time.

“Descente has always pursued innovation in products and has also continuously promoted an ‘advanced, precise and sincere’ corporate culture,” said Candice Fei, Vice President of Brand Marketing for Descente. “The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is perfectly aligned with our brand values. As a participating company this year, we hope to further strengthen our brand identity and corporate honor through the active participation of employees, enhance the trust and cohesion among members, and inject vitality and competitive spirit into the company's culture.”

Bank of Communications is looking to build upon the 82 employees it brought to the 2024 Corporate Challenge, and is inspired by the daily training efforts of its most diligent runners. “I started running in 2000 and run almost every morning,” Shi Shuai said. “It gives me great pleasure and running together at the Corporate Challenge, along with other companies, enhances friendships and happiness.”

288 Eaton employees participated in the 2024 Corporate Challenge – the second-largest team behind J.P. Morgan’s 600 – and applauds the all-inclusive nature of the event.

“Our employees are very diverse, and the Corporate Challenge is suitable for everyone at different levels in their fitness journey,” said Ali Hu. “There are runners, joggers and walkers as well as cheer leaders. This inclusive approach reflects Eaton's respect for each employee.”

It's that type of welcoming environment that attracted Descente to join Corporate Challenge.

“The sense of honor and excitement that a team event like the Corporate Challenge brings is beyond individual competition,” said Descente’s Candice Fei. “Employees are pushing not only for themselves, but also for the team and the company. This form of collective participation enables each participant to feel part of the team.”

Shanghai will be the 16^th and final race in the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series, celebrating its 49^th year of consecutive operation. The Series is on track to attract over 225,000 participants this year with at least one race held in all six permanently inhabited continents.

Company registration for the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Shanghai will remain open through October 14 or when capacity is reached, whichever occurs first. Companies may also take advantage of a range of hospitality options and make the Corporate Challenge their most memorable company outing of the year.