Five Westchester businesses will sponsor the Corporate Cup 5K Race after nine years of dormancy. SUNY Purchase will hold the men’s, women’s and co-ed corporate team competitions on Thursday, July 25 and Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
“In the past, the race was low key,” said Andy Kimerling, race director and Westchester Track Club spokesperson. “Any extra money we made back then we contributed to SUNY Purchase children”™s center, which is a day care.”
This year, the goal is to rebuild the tradition and bring the corporate community together. SUNY Purchase, which hosted the race starting in 1990s, decided to close their race track to the corporate cup when after a participant died of a heart attack shortly after crossing the finish line. The family of the man sued the university.
Ed Dorian, managing partner of Dorian Drake International, Inc, one of the companies sponsoring the race, said the  goal of the corporate cup was to bring companies together in an outdoor setting to socialize and enjoy a midweek run. He said the corporate cup has received sponsorship from companies throughout Westchester and Greenwich and Stamford in Connecticut.
“We want to get a cross section of people who enjoy running and have a midweek evening to run and socialize,” Dorian said. “Most races take place on weekends. But sometimes people like to get together with people in their own office in an outside setting. It makes Westchester a more attractive place to do business and attract companies to come in because activities add to the overall ambiance of the county.”
In the past, the Corporate Cup drew about 300 to 400 people at each race. The overhead costs of the race ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 and includes paying for the venue space and buying T-shirts for the race.
“This was always a great event for the Westchester business community and for competitive runners in our area,” said Kimerling in a press release. “We”™re very excited that SUNY Purchase has welcomed us back.”
The company sponsors include Heritage Realty Services, O”™Connor Davies, LLP, Citibank, N.A., Dorian Drake International, Inc. and Jackson Lewis LLP.
