As a business owner, you probably already know that health care costs are one of the largest expenses on your Company P&L.   Across the Country, health care costs have been increasing at 8 - 14% annually, with no indication of slowing.   Alarmingly, 75% of health care spending is attributable to illnesses that are totally preventable.

Only 1 in 20 adults consistently engage in the most important health behaviors (exercise, eating right, moderate drinking, no smoking), and over two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or clinically obese (133 million people).

The problem is related to a diet of too much junk food, and 9 times as many minutes spent watching TV and movies versus participating in leisure-time physical activities.  (Source:  US Corporate Wellness).

We all understand how our Companies would benefit from lower health care costs, increased moral, lower turn-over, and employees that are more attentive, energetic, and focused.  But how do you inspire and motivate employees to become more active, and improve their nutrition?

Motivational speakers may help, for a short period of time.   Wellness programs have proven to be beneficial, for select employees.   But, the only way to REALLY inspire people to change is to lead by example, immerse them in an emotional experience, and support them so they truly feel like they ‘can do it'.

Those of us fortunate enough to be involved with the sport of triathlon understand that most people that witness their first race are changed forever.  They see all the different body types at the race, and know that, with encouragement and support, they too can take part.   They are motivated by the elation and happiness they witness as people, who were recently just like them, had the guts to try and are now filled with emotion as they cross the finish line and realize their dream of becoming a triathlete!

We understand that you can never 'find' enough time in the day to train while looking after family needs, travel, and business (CEO Challenge competitors especially experience this).  However, we all know that it's amazing how much time you can find when a race is circled on your calendar, and continues to loom closer and closer.   This is the idea of the Corporate Triathon Challenge (CTC) - get employees to circle a date, and work together towards the goal.

Every journey begins with the first step - and the CTC has been designed as a logical way to engage your entire Company, allow your employees to experience a truly memorable team building event, have some fun, and promote a culture of fitness.  

The program revolves around a ‘sprint distance' triathlon, for example, the Amica 19.7 Series offered in cities across the USA.   Employees will be expected to attend the event, and either participate as part of a relay (swim .5 miles, bike 16 miles, or run / walk 3 miles), support the team by volunteering at an aid station, or take on the challenge of the entire distance.  Race day will include lots of awards and a company picnic for employees and their families.

The CTC team of triathlon coaching and motivation experts* will provide the perfect ‘third party' resource as we work with you to choose the race that best fits your Company's schedule, be there as the program is unveiled, motivate your employees, and answer the myriad of questions about triathlon apparel, equipment, and training.  Our team will also be there on race day to offer support, advice, and guidance, and generally help ensure everyone has the best day possible.

The Corporate Triathlon Challenge is a program that is designed to include everyone in your Company, teach them valuable lessons about goal setting, and encourage and motivate them along the way.  The result will be the absolute best team-building event you can imagine.   Your employees will feel fantastic about accomplishing a ‘stretch' goal, learn how to overcome adversity and obstacles, and be motivated to improve their fitness in the process!

How it Works

• We work with you to pick the sprint distance triathlon that best fits your Company's schedule and location
• Announce that there will be a team-building event, and all employees are to block that date on their calendars
• Send ‘teasers' leading up to the announcement (e.g., pictures of swimmers, bikers, runners, and triathletes)
• Approx. six-months prior to the event, announce that the company will participate in the Corporate Triathlon Challenge, and employees can choose to swim, bike, run, volunteer, or tackle the entire distance
• Shortly after, the CTC team will visit your office with the goal of motivating employees, answer all questions related to their chosen ‘leg' of the triathlon, and help them with equipment choices and options
  • CTC Staff will stay to offer support and guidance through the official first training day - swimmers get help with stroke analysis, cyclists go out for an easy ride, and runners are taught how to properly warm-up, stretch, and train in a way that will reduce the risk of injury
  • Before leaving, CTC Staff will work with Captains of each group and present them with a training plan designed for their group (‘train the trainers')
• Personal coaching is available for employees who choose to do the entire triathlon (incorporating only as many workouts in a week as their schedule will allow)
• CTC Staff will be available for a follow-up trip a few months before the event, if required
• The night before the race, all employees are invited to a Company Pre-race Strategy Dinner where they will receive their Company logo competition ‘tri tops'
• On race morning Staff is available to answer last minute questions, and offer support, advice, and guidance to the athletes
• Families of employees are treated to access to a Corporate Hospitality Tent (complete with food & drinks), and athletes join them before and after their competition
• The program ends with the CEO handing out trophies to the top finishers of the triathlon, and the best Company teams

What's in it for the Company?

1.    The CEO and management team will be viewed as people who ‘lead by example', since they will train and compete right alongside the employees

2.    Employees will be ecstatic that they were able to accomplish their goal of finishing, and probably a little surprised with how well they did

3.    A number of the employees will likely catch the ‘triathlon bug' and continue to maintain a higher level of fitness

4.    The swimming group, cycling group, and runner / walker group will be drawn together, get to know each other on an entirely new level, and discover the power and fun involved with group training

5.    The Company will have the opportunity to observe the Captains of each group as they work on organizing training sessions, juggling responsibilities, and looking after the needs of their fellow employees (could be a great way to identify future leaders)

6.    Employees will appreciate that the Company supported them as they trained for the event, allowed them to get to know people in other departments, and looked after their families on race day

7.    Will lead to employee retention, as people training for the event with their new friends aren't likely to leave prior to the competition

8.    The Company is able to find a cost-efficient way to improve employee morale that isn't tied into salaries or bonuses

9.    Will likely lead to an annual event, with everyone motivated to improve upon their time from the year before, or taking on the challenge of the entire triathlon instead of just one leg

10.  The Company will attract high caliber new employees who are inclined to work for an organization that supports health, wellness, and fitness

*CEO Challenges Staff (personnel for each event depends on the number of Company employees):

• Simon Lessing - 5-time world triathlon champion, winner of over 200 races worldwide, 2000 Olympian, co-owner of Boulder Coaching
• Lynn Kanuka - 4-time Olympian (bronze medalist in 1984), renowned motivational speaker, owner of ‘every WOMAN' interactive health conferences and wellness workshops
• Darren De Reuck - Olympic coach, owner of the Boulder Striders racing club, co-owner of Boulder Coaching
• Lisa Lessing - former Professional Ironman athlete, and swim stroke analysis expert
• Ted Kennedy - President / Owner of CEO Challenges, founder of Ironman North America, 20 years of sales & marketing experience with global consumer packaged goods companies (Quaker Oats, Best Foods)

Amica 19.7 Race Locations / Timing:

• Dallas - May
• Boulder - June
• Knoxville - July
• New London - July
• Portland - August
• Charlotte - August
• Boston - August
• Las Vegas - Sept
• Newport - Sept
• Phoenix - Nov

(More venues to be added in 2011)