Once 28,000 strong pre-COVID, the Mercedes-Benz Miami Corporate Run is back — and growing
Three years ago, when the immensely popular Mercedes-Benz Miami Corporate Run had nearly 27,000 runners converge on Biscayne Boulevard to celebrate another year, no one could have imagined that in 2020 it would go virtual and by 2021, though back on the streets, would dwindle to 3,700 because of a disease called COVID-19.
But race producer FootWorks, its race director Laurie Huseby and longtime sponsor Mercedes-Benz have hung in there, and the 38th running of the Miami Corporate Run 5K will be back up to 10,000 participants — and likely growing again next year — when it celebrates its 38th running at 6:45 p.m. Thursday at Bayfront Park.
“It’s like starting over again,’’ said Huseby, who co-founded the race with her late husband, Hans, and has directed it since it began as the Manufacturers Hanover Corporate Challenge in 1985. “All the big events have started to grow again from grass roots. Everything has lightened up. People are anxious to get out and do things.’’
The race, a three-city series that earlier this month had smaller versions in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, awards plaques to winning men’s (four people), women’s (four) and coed (two-and-two) teams in each of 20 industry-related divisions. It will still have thousands of folks partying before and afterward under more than 300 tents spread throughout the park.
Incredible energy
“The energy is just incredible,’’ said Erika Hechavarria, 33, captain of Kaseya, a Miami-based IT company with the second-largest team of 157 participants. Kaseya’s corporate caterer is making six-foot-long sub sandwiches, with desserts and “adult beverages,’’ Hechavarria said.
“Last year it was eerie because it was so small compared to previous years,’’ she said. “I’m glad it’s coming back stronger. We’re all back in our office, but this gives us an opportunity to be in a relaxed setting to socialize with our coworkers.”
Thursday’s largest team, with only three more participants than Kaseya, is 160-strong Visa of Miami.
“We’ve been participating for more than 15 years,’’ said Dario Cutin, who has walked in the event for five years and is Visa’s vice president of communications for Latin America and the Caribbean. “We realize how important this event is for us in connecting with the community. It’s like a big party and we don’t want to miss the party.’’
The party, so to speak, grew to as large as 28,265 participants from 850 companies in 2018. Back then, Baptist Health South Florida was the largest company to compete, with 2,709.
The 10,000 in Thursday’s event — registration has been cut off — represent 496 companies. Huseby, who owns FootWorks running store in South Miami, still offers a virtual option for those who can’t come out. The virtual event has fewer than 200 participants, signaling a return to the streets.
Because of rising costs and fewer participants, Huseby had to streamline the frills this year, such as fireworks and confetti and stilt-walkers roaming the park. But her store is drawing lots more shoppers these days, which gives her hope.
“A lot of the younger people loved working from home when the pandemic started,’’ Huseby said, “but for me it was super isolating and I didn’t feel the energy. My goal is to make sure everybody is safe and has fun. Our event is a true fabric of the community. It’s so hard to live with the uncertainty but we’ve all had to do it and readjust.”
Jennifer Sanchez, team captain for the 151-strong City of Miami Beach team, will participate Thursday for the sixth time.
“I’m very passionate about this race for many reason,’’ said Sanchez, 34, a senior human resources specialist. “I’m heavily into wellness and this city has a wellness program and the event aligns itself with our initiative.”
Miami Beach’s internal slogan and on social media: #OneTeamOneCity.
“The Corporate Run brings everyone in our city together and we meet people we otherwise wouldn’t have met,’’ Sanchez said. “All in love I love it.’’
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 1:25 PM.
