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A Workplace Fitness Success Story
At presentation day on 8th November, 2000, 11 people were inducted into the Corporate Cup 20 year club - all have been involved in the event every consecutive year since its inception in 1981. Those people will remember the first run - the event was held on the ovals off Frome Road, where recorders sat at card tables under the pine trees, rain, hail and shine! There were 15 members to a team and with 81 teams competing.
The event originated from an idea conceived by the late Mr Don Leitch, after a visit to Sydney where he observed two companies running against each other around the Domain. It was a friendly competition with few rules and was run during their lunch breaks. Mr Leitch, a nutritionist with the CSRIO saw this as a way of improving the lives of workers bound by sedentary duties in the workplace through consistency of exercise over a period of 16 weeks.
Don established the first event with the help of ACHPER (SA Branch) Inc who subsequently claimed ownership of the program. 'Life. Be in it.' has managed the event since 1982 when it was shifted to Pinky Flat off War Memorial Drive in North Adelaide.
What it achieves...
The Corporate Cup was thus established to achieve more than just providing a friendly run! The eight run days are "tests" on physical improvement during the 16 weeks. With work mates encouragement, times tend to improve and dedication to run/walk is enhanced every time one participates. Those who do finish the event have not only achieved personal fitness but have usually established a running/walking fitness pattern to continue throughout the summer months
But more than that, the Corporate Cup is a well-known and tried method of intra company worker team building experience. The number of people who tell us that their company productivity has improved markedly or that groups of people who just would not mix with each other are now collaborating over times and fitness levels ?is quite astounding. Time and time again, the Corporate Cup is mentioned in business circles, at social events and even in parliament. We know that networking is also a great outcome of being involved in the event.
The event consistently attracts more than 5,000 participants each year ? around 50% men and women ranging in ages from 10 to 76 years.
Private and public teams entered are close to 50% as well ? once upon a time it was more like 75% public and 25% private.
Times have changed this.
Other information:
Fastest Runners:
Record holders on the old 4.5km track (city)
David Dowd - 13.27mins
Marcia Sheer - 15.00mins
Fastest times recorded in 2007 on the new 4.5km track (city)
Shane Thiele - 13.52mins
Sarah Crowley - 15.38mins
Invitation Fast Fun Run 4.5km 2007 winners:
Shane Thiele - 13.52mins
Sarah Crowley - 15.38mins
City Region Corporate Cup Past Winners:
1981 NWS Channel Nine (Kids Television)
1982 Australian National Railways (ANR)
1983 Mitsubishi (Elite A)
1984 E & WS (Drip Shakers)
1985 John Connell & Associates (John Connell)
1986 Adelaide City Council (The Hustlers)
1987 Australian Broadcasting Commission
1988 ABC Radio (5AN-A-Side)
1989 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
1990 Highways Department
1991 State Services (Government Taxis)
1992 Bureau of Criminal Intelligence
1993 SA Police Department (Flying Squad)
1994 Adelaide Parcel Centre (Parcel Pacers)
1995 Commonwealth Bank of Aust. (Woefuls)
1996 Commonwealth Bank of Aust. (Outrageous)
1997 Public & Environmental Health SA Health Commission (PEHSAHC)
1998 Dept Environment, Heritage & Aboriginal Affairs (EHAA)
1999 Dept Environment, Heritage & Aboriginal Affairs (Deha)
2000 EDS Comms SA (Commets)
2001 Australian Tax Office (Tax Trotters)
2002 SA Water (Reservoir Dogs)
2003 DFEEST (Tafe SA Phoenix)
2004 Southcorp Wines (Push it P@m)
2005 Australian Tax Office (Tax Trotters)
2006 SA Water (Red Fire Engines)
2007 TransAdelaide (Locomotion A)
2008 SA Water (Splash and Dash)
2009 Commonwealth Bank (Which Bank?)
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