BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – On Saturday, July 16, over 2,000 employees representing Birmingham businesses from across the metropolitan area will gather at Railroad Park to participate in the second annual Birmingham Corporate Challenge presented by St. Vincent’s Health System. The event is an Olympic-style field day with 15 competitive events where participants earn points for their respective company.
“The Birmingham Corporate Challenge has seen tremendous growth in its second year of operation,” said Suzanne Alvarez, Director of Marketing and Culture at Knight Eady, the event’s organizer. “Many competitors have been training over the past few months to prepare for the events, and we look forward to enjoying a fun, competitive day with some of Birmingham’s best companies out at Railroad Park.”
Over 40 Birmingham companies will be represented at this year’s challenge. The day is set to kick off at 8:00 a.m. with a 5K race and one-mile fitness walk, followed by at 10K bike stroll. Throughout the day, participants will compete in skilled events such as a the Hibbett Sports Football Accuracy Toss, Protective Life Rock Climbing Wall, Coors Light Basketball Shootout, Alabama Media Group Obstacle Course and Surgical Care Affiliates Home Run Derby. There are also several head-to- head challenges where companies will have small teams represent them in a playoff-style competition. Some of the head-to- head challenges include the Teklinks Tug of War competition and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Dodgeball. The State Traditions golf challenge and the bowling competition will take place respectively on Thursday and Friday at off-site locations leading up to the full day at Railroad Park on Saturday.
The teams are divided into three different divisions, so that company teams will compete against businesses of similar size. Each company team will enter employees in the various competitions to earn points, and the company with the most points in its respective division will be the winner. Family and friends of the participants are also invited to join in the fun. Kids activities and entertainment will be available in the America’s First Family Fun Zone.
The Birmingham Corporate Challenge brings together the corporate community for a day focused on health and wellness, company camaraderie, and a celebration of the city. The event is presented by St. Vincent’s Heath System and managed by Knight Eady for the second year in a row.
“Everyone at St. Vincent’s is excited to be involved in the second year of the Birmingham Corporate Challenge. It has been a pleasure being involved in the planning with some great Birmingham companies as we all prepare for the 2016 event at Railroad Park,” remarked Liz Moore, Chief Communications Officer at St. Vincent’s Health System. “It’s such a fun event for the city, and was a tremendous success last year. We can’t wait to see all the participants at this year’s Challenge.”
Over 1,300 athletes competed in the inaugural Birmingham Corporate Challenge last summer on Aug. 1, 2015. Friends, family and supporters filled Railroad Park to cheer on their favorite team as they competed in the various events. In the end, three companies were crowned champions. The 2015 winners of the championship belts were: Southern Research, Division I; Surgical Care Affiliates, Division II; Homewood City Schools, Division III.
For more information about the event, contact Suzanne Alvarez at Suzanne@knighteady.com.
