SimplyIOA Corporate 5k: Running & Walking In-Person Was Simply the Best!
Thursday night, September 30 at Lake Eola was about re-uniting for the SimplyIOA Corporate 5k after a 17-month in-person hiatus. It was about continuing the 26-year tradition of making strides for workplace wellness and providing food assistance for friends, neighbors, and co-workers affected by the global pandemic.
Though smaller than year’s past, together with our sponsors, city partners, and most of all our team captains, we celebrated Orlando’s biggest and best outdoor office party!
One could feel the collective mood of joy at the start line, being outside, even in fist bumping distance of other runners, walkers, and colleagues. Jason Butts, Vice President of Partnerships at SimplyIOA welcomed the crowd at his first event. Katy Willis, a performer from Central Florida Community Arts sang her rendition of the National Anthem as a gentle wind swayed the flag. It was exhilarating!
In-person and virtually, 4210 registered runners and walkers on 234 teams spanning 27 states and five countries participated.
First-time Corporate 5k runner Mehari Van Der Riet, a senior at Foundation Academy, ran 16:28 for the Overall win! He ran with Team Orange County Government. Women’s champion Heather Schulz raced to a 19:57 victory ahead of her upcoming Boston Marathon!
The biggest win of the night was the 65,000 meals donated to Second Harvest Food Bank! This contribution will help change lives for our neighbors facing real hunger.
“The evening was a reunion for us and our corporate friends. As I walked through the crowd it was inspiring to see the shirts of companies we work with in our community enjoying the afterhours with fitness and camaraderie.” says Betsy Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack Events.
Presenting our top meal contributors:
Brooks Running – 14,000
Orlando Police Department - 6,280
IOA – 4,252
Orange County Government – 2,728
Frontline Insurance – 2,304
Cuhaci & Peterson – 1,620
Congratulations to our largest teams:
Orange Country Government – 279
IOA – 184
AdventHealth – 111
CRU – 108
Darden – 101
Quick Links
Results (The top 3 teams in each industry category win awards) >>
Simply IOA Corporate 5k WESH News Coverage >>
