LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News)–Workers from all over Onondaga County packed into Onondaga Lake Park for the Syracuse Workforce Run Tuesday.
The Syracuse Workforce Race originally started in 1982, although at the time it was called the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge.
The name changed when, in 2020, Robert Barwick and his company Blue Penguin Productions bought the race and rebranded.
Even after the change, the race remains the same. Companies througout Onondaga County can sign up to create a team and participate in a 5K that runs along the Onondaga Lake Park.
And each year a local charity is chosen as a beneficiary of the race.
This year the race benefited the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York. This organization works to give families of sick children a place to stay while their child is being treated in the hospital.
According to Barwick the event has seen constant growth in the years since its rebrand.
“Over the last three years we’ve had a 30%, a 10% and this year a 12% increase in registrants,” Barwick said.
The race was bought by Blue Penguin the same year that the COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging through the United States.
The company waited until 2021 to put on their first Workforce Race and had a turnout of 400 people.Compare that to this year, where the organizers expected 3,300 attendees from 115 different businesses.
“I think it’s because of word of mouth,” Barwick said, “People have seen that we’ve produced a great, fun event for the Central New York region and they’ve come back in droves.”
The race is timed and awards are given out to the fastest man and woman, the fastest overall teams, and the largest team. But even with the competition the event is more about community.
“They’re going to run, they’re going to jog, they’re going to walk – whatever they want to do.” Barwick said, “ The most important thing is that they’re getting together and having great team work and having a lot of fun.”
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse Workforce Run brings thousands to Onondaga Lake Park
Matea Kenicki: Tonight the annual Syracuse Workforce Run is back again. Our very own Babe Nash is live with more. Babe?
Babe Nash: Thanks Matea. We’re here at Onondaga Lake Park where the Syracuse Workforce Run is about to start in just a couple of hours. This run has been happening since around 1982 although it used to be called the Syracuse- the Syracuse – Well it was called something differently originally. It changed hands recently in 2020, and although it was off to a shaky start in 2020 due to the pandemic, in recent years it has been going very strong. The Syracuse Workforce Run has always been here, at the Onondaga Lake Park. But the set-up has not always looked like this. Heavy rains caused a delay for the crew as they set up for tonight event. But between downpours I was able to speak with Robert Barwick the Co-Director of the Syracuse Workforce Run about the growth the race has seen in the past few year.
Robert Barwick: Over the last three years we’ve had a 30%, a 10% and this year a 12% increase in registrants.
Nash: That means that in just a few hours these tents will be filled with over 3,300 people from 115 different companies. Robert says the growth has been natural.
Barwick: I think it’s because of word of mouth. People have seen that we’ve produced a great, fun event for the Central New York region and they’ve come back in droves.
Nash: Even after the rain stops the crew will have to deal with things like standing water and making sure all of their technology is safe from the moisture. But Robert has no doubt in tonight’s event.
Barwick: At night we’re gonna have great weather. People are gonna hangout with one another. They’re going to run, they’re going to jog, they’re going to walk – whatever they want to do.” Barwick said, “ The most important thing is that they’re getting together and having great team work and having a lot of fun.
Nash: Tonight’s race will also benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York. This is a charity that assists families with sick children with housing and food when they’re going through troubled times. Tonights celebration starts at 6:30, and the race starts at 6:45. In Syracuse, Babe Nash for NCC News. Matea, back to you.