Chase Corporate Challenge

written by Jazzy T

Marathon running in the light of evening

A team building event that started in Central Park 42 years ago, will shut down parts of downtown Rochester tonight.

The first JP Morgan Corporate Challenge brought together 200 joggers from 50 companies on the night of the New York City blackout on July 13th, 1977. Back then, the event was called the Manufacturers Hanover Corporate Challenge, named for one of J.P. Morgan’s predecessor firms.

The 3.5 mile race started as a way to bring together entry-level workers, CEOs and corporate sponsors and clients in Manhattan and has grown into an international phenomenon.

The race expanded outside of NYC in 1980, when Albany joined the series, followed by Buffalo in 1981. Rochester adopted the corporate challenge in 1991.

Now the event is held in 13 cities in seven countries across five continents.

One June 4th 2019, more than 7,700 runners from more than 300 companies will gather at the starting line near Frontier Field in Rochester for this year’s Chase Corporate Challenge.

Traffic reporter Jazz Williams, from News10NBC has been tracking the traffic impact of this race and offers a way around the road closures.

Road Closures are as follows:

• 5 p.m. -10 p.m.- Morrie Silver Way: Oak Street
• 6:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.- Verona Street
• Sections of State Street, Main Street, Scio Street, Allen Street, N Plymouth Avenue and the Inner Loop will be closed to traffic.
• East Main Street will remain open between the Genesee River and Chestnut Street, so that you can get in and out of downtown via 490. Just steer clear from Frontier Field. (That’s where most of the road closures are.)

***If you are going to the race, please know that there is no parking around Frontier Field. They will ticket and tow!***

Take advantage of free parking and shuttles to Frontier Field at Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta Rd!!

A shuttle from this location will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The race starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.