On Tuesday, 173 University faculty and staff members participated in the Syracuse Workforce Run, formerly known as the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge. The event brings together walkers, runners and rollers from workplaces around Syracuse for a night of friendly competition, fitness, food and camaraderie on a 5K course through Onondaga Lake Park.
For the second year running, the University was recognized for having the largest team from a single organization. Everyone’s favorite mascot, Otto, was there to cheer participants on and dole out plenty of high-fives. J. Cole Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), once again served as team captain with staff from ECS helping to organize this year’s event, with support from the University’s Wellness Initiative.
Jon French, assistant teaching professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, took 3rd place in the all-male division with a time of 16 minutes, two seconds. Grace Sciera, marketing strategist in the Division of Marketing, completed the course in 21 minutes, 45 seconds, placing ninth in the all-female division.
Thank you to all who participated and the University hopes to see you again next year!
Team Orange had the most participants of all Central New York employers participating in the WorkForce Run—173 (not all made it to the group photo).
Selfies with Otto make any event more fun.
Professor Jon French, who ranked 3rd in the all-male division, crosses the finish line.
Dean Smith accepts the award for the largest team from a single organization. (Photo by Derek Pooley)
The behind-the-scenes team that helped organize Syracuse’s team for the run, clockwise from top left: Christie Rudnick, Otto, Kim DeStefano, Emilia Stojanovski, Derek Pooley and Chris Barbera.
Otto shows off the 2023 Syracuse WorkForce Run T-shirt. (Photo by Kim DeStefano)
Except where otherwise indicated, photos are by Randy Pellis.
