New in 2012, the Williams Route 66 Marathon announces the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Corporate Challenge. The funds raised through the corporate challenge will be donated to the Tulsa Area United Way. The program is a great opportunity for organizations of all sizes to promote workplace wellness, support a charity and build teamwork across departments and within their organization.

There are four divisions based on the total number of employees: 1-249, 250-499, 500-999 and 1000+ employees. Corporate Challenge teams are awarded points in three areas: participation, performance and fundraising. The winning teams from each division will be awarded with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Cup. Corporate benefits from signing up for the challenge include free or discounted registrations, invitations to VIP events and access to the special a special Corporate Challenge VIP area on at the finish line. 

"Wellness is a key component to having motivated, productive employees. This corporate challenge program is a great avenue to establish a healthy workforce while fostering a sense of camaraderie and raising money for the Tulsa Area United Way," said Bert Marshall, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. "We are literally challenging other corporations to take this step toward a healthier community."

Click here for more information or to register your team in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Corporate Challenge.

Are you training for the Williams Route 66 Marathon? Make your efforts even more meaningful by joining our fundraising efforts for the Tulsa Area United Way. Participants can sign up for the Run United! campaign during registration.

"Run United! is a great opportunity for participants to make the most of their marathon experience," said Chris Lieberman, Executive Director of the Route 66 Marathon. "Runners are encouraged to leverage their passion for a good cause."

Each participant who registers online and opts to become a fundraiser during registration will receive an e-mail prompting them to personalize their fundraising webpage. Participants can also login to Active.com to customize their page, upload photos, send e-mails and communicate with supporters.   

All fundraising participants have the opportunity to earn the following incentives: 

• $100 – $249: Run United! Running Cap
• $250 – $499: Run United! Long Sleeve Technical Running Shirt
• $500+: Run United! Running Jacket

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Route 66 is the only event in the country to finish in the top three in as many years.

Marathon runners take their hardware seriously, and rightly so after journeying 26.2 miles to cross the finish line. After finishing second and third the last two years, the Williams Route 66 Marathon finisher medal has been ranked number one among U.S. marathon medals, according to the May/June issue of Marathon & Beyond magazine.

The 2011 medal is designed to look like a hood ornament on a classic 1941 Cadillac. In Paul Gentry’s article, “Chasing the Flying Goddess,” the Williams Route 66 medal has been recognized for capturing the spirit of the marathon. Judges especially liked its elegant, sleek and shiny design that makes it look “fast.”

Marathon & Beyond formed a 23-member panel made up of marathoners from across the country and Canada to judge the 2011 marathon medals. There are an estimated five hundred marathons in the U.S. This is the third year in a row that the Williams Route 66 Marathon medal has placed in the top three, something no other event in the country has ever done.

“The attention paid to marathon medals has really escalated over the years,” said Rich Benyo, editor of Marathon & Beyond. “The perfect medal is one that perfectly symbolizes the area through which it runs, and the Route 66 medal does this perfectly!”

Gentry said of the marathon’s medal, “Without a doubt, Tulsa is the center of the ‘medal’ universe!  To be in the top three for three straight years is truly amazing, especially considering that Marathon & Beyond has a completely different panel of judges each year.  I am a proud finisher of this event, and I smile with pride every time I see my Flying Goddess hanging in my den.”

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Chris Lieberman, Director of the Williams Route 66 Marathon. “Of course, we wanted a medal that reflected the essence of the event and the history of Tulsa, but more importantly, we wanted the medal to be worthy of the effort of finishing the marathon.”