Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today sounded the official starting horn for the third leg of the 22nd Annual Chase Corporate Challenge in Central Park. The Mayor was represented in the race by Team Rudy, comprised of 18 employees.
The Mayor was joined by Chase Vice Chairman Don Boudreau, New York Road Runners Club President and CEO Allan Steinfeld and Chase Emcee Raleigh Mayer.
"The Chase Corporate Challenge is a great New York City institution that has grown into an international phenomenon," Mayor Giuliani said. "Everyone here works hard during the day and this, as they say, is a place to play hard. As you might have guessed, I'm not here as an unbiased observer. I have great expectations for Team Rudy and I am confidant they will be successful today. But it is very important to remember, whatever healthy competition has developed between teams or between individual runners, the Corporate Challenge is meant to be fun.
"Athleticism clears the mind, strengthens the body and lays the groundwork for excellence in all areas of life," continued the Mayor. "This is the third and final Chase Corporate Challenge race that you and your teammates have run this summer and I applaud you, especially in this heat, for your commitment to excellence both on the track and in the office."
The Chase Corporate Challenge is the largest corporate sporting event series in the United States. Comprised of three separate 3.5 mile races through Central Park, more than 162,000 people from nearly 6,000 companies participate in the event.