DES MOINES, Iowa -- During Relays Night at the Drake Men's Basketball game on Wednesday, February 7, the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom awarded trophies to the three winning companies of the 2023 Relays Wellness Challenge.
 
The 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 55 companies and 1,100 employees participating. For the first time in program history, the reigning champion in each division defended their crowns in 2023.
 
"As a Central Iowa based event that earns global attention, our entire team takes special pride in the continued growth of the Relays Wellness Challenge," said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director. "Looking ahead to this spring, enrollment is underway and our team is eager to continue the positive trajectory. While it has been a joy to celebrate with these winners two years in a row, we are eager to see new challengers contend in 2024 while they encourage their employees to lead healthier lifestyles during Relays Week."
 
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.
 
"The Drake Relays Wellness Challenge is an important part of ZLR Ignition's culture of supporting the community and encouraging ourselves and those we love, to live well and be well, in every aspect of life," said Xan McNelly, president and CEO of ZLR Ignition. "Participating in this annual event is a tradition we look forward to all year as an opportunity to have fun, be active and build teamwork, and we are honored and delighted to be recognized once again."
 
"Our team has really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the Drake Relays Wellness Challenge," said Nathan Overberg, Management Committee Member.  "As a proud member of the Des Moines community for over 135 years, our firm wants to say, 'thank you' to the Drake Relays for its ongoing commitment to advancing the health and wellness of our community."

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."
 
The 2024 Relays Wellness Challenge will continue at the 56^th anniversary of the Drake Road Races on Sunday, April 21 and at the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 23. 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 13. For more information on enrolling your organization for the free 2024 Relays Wellness Challenge, email drakeroadraces@drake.edu.
 
Register for the Drake Road Races here.