Back for the third year running the JP Morgan 5.6 k Corporate Challenge is gearing up for an easy breezy jaunt along the Xuhui Riverside on Oct 24. Last year’s event saw 6,500 participants and this year, they’ve expanded registration to squeeze in 8,000 entrants!
Us over at That's Shanghai partook in the fun run last year, which not only promotes workplace camraderie and living a healthy lifestyle, but also raises money for charity (this year's is still TBA). Doing good all around, that's what we like! In support of the event - and in an attempt to slim down from all that summer boozing - we'll be blogging about our training. Nike+ bands still have yet to come out of the closet, but mentally we're already starting to prepare...
Week 1
Ok, so the JP Morgan race is going to be my first. Ever. My body shivers, perhaps with worry rather than excitement, at the thought. Because, well, I am not exactly what you’d call fit. But running a distance, even if it’s ‘only’ 5ks (more shivers…5ks sound pretty long to me) is a long-held ambition of mine. And so here we come. The challenge itself is going to be my main motivation to start a running regime. That, and the fact that it’d be pretty darn embarrassing to stop after a few meters and let my team down. I’m determined to start pounding the pavements the moment the heat gets a little more bearable. In the meantime, I shall be asking my more expert co-worker some advice to avoid sore knees and aching feet... That’s also a way to start, right? - Marianna
After a shameful no show last year under the pretense of "too much work," this year I am 197% committed to leading the That's team to victory, and the charge to the vodka tent. With a couple of CrossFit junkies by my side, and the thought of Russia's favorite potato juice at the finish line, I am fully confident we will do J.P. Morgan himself proud, a man who viewed the competition as something to be mercilessly crushed. - Ned
How exciting to get another chance to run in this race - last year, we were late and ended up starting the race several (like perhaps 10 or 15 or 20 minutes) after the the actual gun went off . It was a lovely quiet jaunt but this time we're in it for real. I believe in running for a cause and hopefully this year, with some added training (hello CrossFit) I'll be able to hang more in the middle of the pack instead of coming in behind people walking in jeans and flip flops. - Monica
JP Morgan Corporate Race time. Last year, we were late to the run so we had a clear stretch ahead of us...until we got about half-way through when we hit all the slowest runners and walkers, people holding hands, talking on phones, that sort of thing. Still we zigged and zagged and for being in dead last place from the start actually made pretty good time...the vodka, beer (see below) water tent was calling. While I run frequently, I'll be aiming to improve my speed with this run and am looking forward to a little athletic team-bonding...and sweet t-shirts. - Lauren
Prior to moving to Shanghai, I considered myself a 'runner'. I completed three half-marathons and countless 5ks and 10ks, and loved going for a nice long run on a pretty day. Since moving to Shanghai though, the crowds, pollution and my hate of treadmills has brought my running hobby to a hault. Although I haven't run regularly in a year, and don't really plan to train for the 5.6k, I am hoping my past running stamina will pull through for the JP Morgan race! - Emily
5.6km of running may sound like nothing to professionals, but to people like me who don't have much chance to exercise (apart from cycling to work), it's quite a challenge. I can tell how cheerful the last event was from my colleague's smiles. Although I signed in I didn't get the chance to go at the last minute because of work, which is quite a shame, while at the same time it only makes me look even more forward to this year's race. Glad it isn't held in such boiling weather though, that's certainly one thing worth cheering about already! - Tongfei
For those other corporate challengers interested in a little healthy competition and would like to register, assemble a team with a minimum of four people form your company and go to www.jpmorganchasecc.com/registration.php. Slots fill up quick, so best shuffle, trot or sprint to it.
// 4.30pm, Oct. 24 Xuhui Riverside Longteng Dadao, by Dong'an Lu 龙腾大道, 近东安路(400 8212 585, shanghai@jpmorganchasecc.com)
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