The 32nd running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge returns this month, setting the stage for Rochester's biggest after-hours office party. The 3.5 mile road race is set to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Innovative Field. The course will lead runners and walkers through Inner Loop and streets in downtown Rochester.
This year 4,085 participants from 197 companies will run or walk this year's new course through downtown Rochester.
The Rochester Corporate Challenge has been a tradition for the region's workforce since 1991 and has grown over the years, with two-year pause in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic. The 2022 event was held with reduced capacity and last May, roughly 3,975 people from 194 companies took part.
If you go
The 2024 race is set to take place on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at Innovative Field. The event is held rain or shine.
Street closings
From 4 to 9 p.m. - Morrie Silver Way, between Oak and State streets; North Plymouth Avenue, between Allen and Brown streets.
From 6:30 to 9 p.m. - Plymouth Avenue, between Allen Street and Exchange Boulevard; Exchange Boulevard between Plymouth Avenue and Ford Street; Ford Street (the bridge), between Exchange Boulevard and Mt. Hope Avenue; Mt. Hope Avenue, between Ford and Byron streets, South Avenue, between Byron and Main streets; Main Street, between South Avenue and State Street; State Street, between Main and Platt streets; Mill Street, between Commercial and Platt streets; Platt Street, between Mill and State streets.
Shuttle buses
Parking will not be allowed at Innovative Field. Free shuttle buses will be running to and from the ballpark at the following parking garages downtown from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.:
• Court Street Garage, 198 Court St., Rochester
• Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd., Rochester
• South Avenue Garage, 39 Stone St., Rochester
Drivers pay to park in these garages, but the shuttle to and from the race is free.
The closest parking areas to Innovative Field are: the Sister Cities Parking Garage and the Fitzhugh Street parking lot on Fitzhugh Street; and the Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage on Andrews Street (this garage closes and is locked at 10 p.m.) Drivers pay to park in these garages and no shuttle service is provided.
Team Captains will be able to park in the Kodak/Carestream lot by Innovative Field.
The Race Course
The 3.5-mile course is new this year and no longer includes portions of the Inner Loop.
The new course begins at Innovative Field. Participants start on Plymouth Avenue and head south (through Corn Hill) to Exchange Boulevard. They head south to Ford Street and cross the bridge over the Genesee River before turning north on Mt. Hope Boulevard, then South Avenue. Participants turn onto East Main Street, again cross the river and turn north onto State Street. They will loop through the High Falls District, around Mill Street, and will finish the course on Morrie Silver Way by Innovative Field.
There is one water station on the course. It is located between miles 2 and 3 by the Rochester Public Library's Rundel Memorial Library.
Post-race party
Many companies will host post-race gatherings at Frontier Field, including in the stands, on the field and in the home and visitor dugouts. Participants without specific workplace parties to attend can buy food at the stadium.
A fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m., depending on the weather.
Event history
Employees and companies come and go, the weather is sometimes fair, soggy or sweltering, but the Rochester Corporate Challenge has remained an annual tradition for the region’s workforce since 1991. That year, 816 walkers and runners, representing 76 companies, gathered at Highland Park for a run.
Thirteen years later, the event’s growth forced a change in venue, moving the race to the Rochester Institute of Technology campus in Henrietta in 2004. The Corporate Challenge was held annually at RIT through 2016. The event moved downtown in 2017.
The largest Corporate Challenge crowd of 11,118 participants from 439 companies was in 2008.
Due to the global pandemic, the event was paused for two years - in 2020 and 2021. The 2022 Corporate Challenge was held with reduced capacity (as well as a virtual option). Last May, roughly 3,975 people from 194 companies took part.
With 4,085 participants this year, the companies with the largest number of runners include: L3Harris with 224 entrants, Paychex with 188 participants and CooperVision with 150 entrants. Teams must have at least four members to participate in the race.
Other details
The 2024 event will benefit the United Way of Greater Rochester.
The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge series includes 16 cities in xxx countries, with a race in Buffalo set to take place on June 13 in Delaware Park.
Photo galleries from past Corporate Challenge races
2019
2018
2017
2016
Local News
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