DES MOINES, Iowa -- Three central Iowa companies have been crowned winners of the Relays Wellness Challenge. This health and wellness initiative, organized in conjunction with the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom and contested at the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield saw over 40 companies and nearly a thousand employees participate in 2021. Congratulations to the three division winners:

Small Business (5-50 Employees)                    Lessing-Flynn
Medium Business (51-500 Employees)            Delta Dental
Large Business (501+ Employees)                   Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

The winning organizations will receive a traveling trophy and will be recognized during tonight's (Feb. 16) Drake Men's Basketball game as part of the festivities of Relays Night.  The Relays Wellness Challenge is an incentive based wellness competition that is open to Iowa based employers where points are awarded based on participation in the Drake Road Races and the Grand Blue Mile. Rather than emphasizing a finishing time or place, total scores are calculated on a participant point system relative to the total number of employees in the company. Points can be earned by running, walking or volunteering at these two premier events and immediate family members are also eligible to participate.

"With the relaunch of this program in 2021, we saw companies across the state join the challenge and be a part of America's Athletic Classic," said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director. "Whether participating in-person on the Blue Oval or virtually in their community, it served as a great opportunity for employees to maintain their health and fitness goals. We are excited to continue this program as we welcome back even more Iowans to Drake Stadium and Downtown Des Moines at our events in April."

The 2022 Relays Wellness Challenge will continue at the 54th Annual Drake Road Races on Sunday, April 24 and at the 13th Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 26. Enrollment has begun for both events. For more information on enrollment for your organization for the free 2022 Relays Wellness Challenge, email drakeroadraces@drake.edu.

Register for the Drake Road Races here: https://www.drakeroadraces.org/events/register/2022-drake-road-races
Register for the Grand Blue Mile here: https://www.drakeroadraces.org/events/register/2022-grand-blue-mile