Inaugural corporate challenge pits business vs. business in 5K race

Some of the area's biggest businesses will compete for something other than profits and market share in the Salus Wisconsin Corporate Championship.

The inaugural event scheduled for May 21 is based on J.P. Morgan Corporate 5K series, which draws tens of thousands of participants representing company teams in New York, Chicago, Singapore and other cities. A record 900 teams and 30,000 runners are registered for the 35th annual run in New York City in June.

Locally, 40 teams are registered to race for bragging rights, both as the fastest team and as the company with the highest percentage of participants. In the spirit of promoting fitness and wellness, the prizes for participation top those for speed.

"Fastest teams get a plaque and medals along with neat goodies from our health and wellness sponsors," said Briana Boehmer, one of the race organizers. "The highest percent participation gets a plaque and the traveling trophy; the big prize.

"And they get a VIP tent and royal treatment at next year's event. In addition they get a generous prize from one of our sponsors; very generous."

The leading sponsors for the corporate challenge are Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company and Good Harvest Market.

Harley-Davidson is also a host. The start and finish and the wellness expo area will be located at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. The course will utilize Canal St. and the Hank Aaron State Trail.

Corporate teams will be split into three divisions based on their number of employees.

Scores will be based on the finishes of the top four runners on a team, with divisions for men, women and mixed squads. The individual competition includes a C-level, for the fastest executive - vice president or higher.

"It's not like your everyday 5K," said Boehmer, the director of wellness and fitness services for Salus, based in Delafield. "This is literally for companies to register and race against each other."

With that in mind, the early favorites look to be Northwestern Mutual and General Electric, unless Harley-Davidson quickly hires Chris Solinsky and Matt Tegenkamp to a new design team.

While providing a fresh take on corporate competition, the bigger purpose of the challenge is to promote fitness and healthy habits, Boehmer said.

Registration for corporate teams is open until May 18. The details on registering a team can be found here.

The cost per particpant is $30. Proceeds from the Championship will be distributed to the Muscular Distrophy Association.

All participants must register as part of a corporate team.