The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge celebrated 20 years of running in Singapore, with an impressive turnout of more than 12,000 participants from 400 companies.

The turnout for the 3.5-mile (5.6km) team road race was 18% higher than last year’s, and 27% larger than 2023’s.

From the start, the Singapore leg of the global series has been a hit since its debut on April 28, 2004 with more than 6,000 participants. It still boasts the largest first-year event in Corporate Challenge history.

“The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is more than just a race; it is a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and the shared commitment to health and well-being,” said Wai Mei Hong, Singapore Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan. 

“This was our 20^th edition, and we continue to bring together clients and colleagues from diverse industries together in the spirit of camaraderie and in support of the local Singapore community,” she said. “We look forward to many more years of running together in Singapore."

The 11 largest companies in terms of participants were SAP (354 participants), Chevron (284), Visa (230), Jacobs International Consultants (217), Credit Agricole (187), Amazon (162), GIC (162), dsm-firmenich (160), BlackRock (151), Musim MAS Holdings (125), and United Microelectronics (125).

"At SAP, we believe that a strong team is built not just in the workplace, but also through shared experiences beyond it,” said Delphine Chin, Senior Executive Assistant, and Ray Han, Director of Generative AI Centre of Excellence, and co-chairs of the Run Healthy Council at SAP.

Describing the Corporate Challenge as an opportunity to “foster camaraderie, create lasting memories, and reinforce our commitment to well-being,” Han said that the Run Healthy Council at SAP “champions employee wellness by encouraging our teams to prioritize their physical and mental health, making events like this even more meaningful. Together, we run healthier and happier, embodying the spirit that drives SAP forward."

Jacobs, an international technical professional services firm, has grown its team’s participation over the years.  

“We find great value in registering as it allows us to bring together our various teams to do something fun, challenging and healthy,” said Howie Tan, team captain for Jacobs. “It has become an event which all staff look forward to every year.”

A key to the long-term success of an event is that it attracts new participants on a regular basis. One such example is from senior management at dsm-firmenich, a Swiss-based company in the flavor and fragrance business.

“This is the third year we’re participating in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, and I am thrilled to see many colleagues participating,” said Jun Saplad, dsm-firmenich’s Region President for Asia Pacific. “Many enjoy it so much that they bring more teammates along the next time. At dsm-firmenich, employee well-being is one of our top priorities, and this event reflects our commitment to fostering a healthy, connected, and supportive workplace culture.”

In the competition at the front of the pack, the story was one once again Jasmine Teo and Shaun Goh.

Teo, running for ICE Singapore, claimed top spot for the fourth consecutive year with a time of 20:31, beating her previous record by a minute and 19 seconds.

Goh, representing Fortinet Singapore, earned a threepeat in the overall race, breaking the finish tape with a sterling time of 17:33. He beat his own 2024 winning time by three seconds.

Victory at the Corporate Challenge takes many forms, as explained by Hayden Choong, team captain for Anglo American, a multinational mining company.

“At Anglo American, we value safety as the foundation of how we work and live,” Choong said.  “We’re proud to represent a company that puts physical and mental wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. Personally, I joined the run because it’s a reminder that taking care of ourselves – and each other – matters, both inside and outside of work,” Choong continued. “Whether it's lacing up for a 5.6km run or supporting a teammate through a tough day, we’re in it together. Running as one team, we lead with care.”

Keeping with the tradition of each Corporate Challenge in Singapore since 2004, J.P. Morgan donated in celebration of all participants to a worthy not-for-profit organization. This year’s beneficiary was HWA, formerly known as Handicaps Welfare Association. Through its work, HWA helps to enhance the quality of life for the elderly and people with disabilities, by providing services such as wheelchair accessible transportation, rehabilitation, home care and social services.

More than two dozen HWA representatives and beneficiaries, along with their caregivers, participated in this event held in the early evening. Among them was Mr. Palani Samy Avaday, age 75 and a polio survivor, who founded a "Friendship Club" in 1969 that eventually became HWA. His advocacy career boasts numerous achievements, including winning Gold in Wheelchair Tennis at the 1999 ASEAN Paralympic Games and receiving the 2022 Goh Chong Tong Enable Award, which honors individuals with disabilities who have made significant achievements in their fields and serve as an inspiration to others.

Singapore was the second event of the 49^th year of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Series, following the Series opener in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 13. Next up is a unique doubleheader in the United States. On Thursday, May 8 there will be two events held – in Chicago, Illinois and Dallas, Texas. It will be the first time in the Series history that two U.S. events are held on the same day.