DES MOINES, Iowa -- During Relays Night at the Drake Men's Basketball game on Tuesday, January 24, the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom will be awarding trophies to the three winning companies of the 2022 Relays Wellness Challenge. This health and wellness initiative, organized in conjunction with the Drake Relays presented by Xtream and contested at the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, saw the highest number of employers participating since its inception in 2019, with more than 45 companies and 1050 employees participating. For the first time since 2019, there are new winners in the Medium and Large Business Divisions. The Small Business Division has not had a repeat winner in the Relays Wellness Challenge.

"The Drake Relays were back on track in 2022 and that was evident in the Relays Wellness Challenge," said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director. "We saw an unprecedented number of employers participating across the Drake Road Races, the Grand Blue Mile and volunteering at the Drake Relays and we look forward to that continued growth in 2023. We are honored to be able to provide the opportunity for companies to encourage their employees to lead a healthier lifestyle during Relays Week and we are grateful to see Central Iowa's workforce actively support America's Athletic Classic through this health initiative."
Congratulations to these three division winners and all companies for participating:

Small Business (5-50 Employees)                    ZLR Ignition
Medium Business (51-500 Employees)            Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.
Large Business (501+ Employees)                   Drake University

The Relays Wellness Challenge is an incentive based wellness competition between Central Iowa based employers where points are awarded based on participation in the Drake Road Races, the Grand Blue Mile and through volunteering at Relays Week events.  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.

Linda Feiden, the Wellness & Recognition Specialist at Drake University, shared what participating in the Relays Wellness Challenge means for Drake, "Drake University is proud to support our very own annual Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile – part of the Drake Relays experience. The Relays Wellness Challenge provided our faculty and staff with the opportunity to achieve individual wellbeing goals, while working together toward a common goal.  Most importantly, it highlights our pride in the University and our community.

"Ahlers & Cooney is celebrating its 135^th anniversary as a law firm this year.  Throughout that period, we have prided ourselves on the quality of our team and our engagement in the Des Moines community," said Nathan Overberg, Management Committee Member.  "Being recognized for our participation in the Relays Wellness Challenge celebrates both of those Firm characteristics and we want to say, 'thank you' to the Drake Relays for its ongoing commitment to advancing the health and wellness of our community."

"Every year, ZLR Ignition looks forward to taking part in the Relays Wellness Challenge," said Xan McNelly, president and CEO of ZLR Ignition. "It's a fun way to build camaraderie and teamwork, while encouraging daily activity as part of a healthy workplace and lifestyle. By running, walking and everything in between, our ZLR Ignition team enjoys being part of the experience of friends and families coming together in the spirit of well-being."

The 2023 Relays Wellness Challenge will continue at the 55^th anniversary of the Drake Road Races on Sunday, April 23 and at the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 25. Enrollment is now open for the Challenge along with registering for the Drake Road Races. Registration for the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will open on Tuesday, February 14. For more information on enrolling your organization for the free 2023 Relays Wellness Challenge, email drakeroadraces@drake.edu.
Register for the Drake Road Races here: https://www.drakeroadraces.org/events/register/2023-drake-road-races