Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG is bracing itself for another sold-out capacity crowd at today’s JPMorgan Corporate Challenge, with participants from more than 200 companies set to compete in the 5.6km race. As in the years past, the 2015 race will have a charitable aspect to it, according to the organisers.
JPMorgan, one of the world’s leading banking institutions, will make a donation to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in celebration of the capacity crowd of 13 000 runners and walkers from 227 companies.
The event is taking place as usual in the leafy northern suburbs of Johannesburg.
“Outside of giving corporate South Africa a networking platform that is fun and relaxed, and encouraging well-being and team work, the JPMorgan Corporate Challenge believes in giving to communities,” said Brian Smith, the joint senior country officer for sub-Saharan Africa.
“And every year the challenge makes a donation to a worthy charity and this is something we consider an achievement – to be able to plough back to the community.”
This is the second consecutive year that Laureus has received a donation from JPMorgan. Last year, the donation was ear-marked for 15 sports-based community initiatives nationwide. JPMorgan has donated about $2 million (R24m) to not-for-profit organisations in corporate challenge markets.
JPMorgan founded the 5.6km challenge in its home city of New York, in 1977. The event has grown steadily ever since, and it now takes places in seven countries on five continents. The organisers have plans to expand it even further due to its popularity. The 12th observance of the Johannesburg JPMorgan Corporate Challenge will start at 6.30pm and will be followed by a concert.
Editor’s note: Business Report, South Africa’s national financial daily, is the official print media partner for the 2015 JPMorgan Corporate Challenge, the fourth consecutive year the newspaper will fulfil the role. n Keep up with what is happening at the JPMorgan Corporate Challenge on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Johannesburg CorporateChallenge or follow it on Twitter @JPMorganCC. – Staff Reporter