Posted: May 18, 2006

Running: Run Smart

The rapid rise of a new sport in the 21st Century

So you like to run? Do you run for running’s sake, or does it have a higher purpose?

What if your legs were just a vehicle to move your brain around and your success depended on the speed of your mind as much as the speed of your legs? How does your brain function when your body starts to tire? Can your feet implement the winning strategy you devised? How do you get the edge on someone who is a fraction quicker than you? The answer to all these questions can be quite simply found within a new concept called Intelligent Sport™((www.intelligentsport.com). It’s a heady amalgam of physical fitness, brain power and team play – think NASA meets NFL.

Created by UK based company, Challenger World Ltd, and rapidly expanding around the world, this concept was originally conceived as a way to create high performing teams for business, pitting companies against each other in a test of mind, body and team spirit. In just three years the concept has gripped the corporate world and now there are national events throughout Europe and the USA, and it even has its own World Team Challenge final.

Perhaps because it is such an intense experience, the reaction of those taking part is almost universally ecstatic at having participated. “Wow, I had the best, most memorable experience of my entire life” (Brian at St Jude) is not an unusual comment and as a result, they almost always come back. Log onto www.challengerworld.com to see the growing and impressive list of companies who have signed up for a piece of this heart pumping action.

In the USA the concept has started to fly. The first US Challenge took place in Asheville, NC, in October 2005, and attracted teams from the likes of Accenture, Cisco Systems, Dell, National Bank of Omaha and Volvo, as well as smaller and medium sized businesses. Washington Group International walked off with the trophy and bragging rights! This year’s event moves to Roanoke Valley, VA, further up the Appalachian Trail. If you think your team is fast enough, smart enough and tough enough to take them on, visit www.uschallenge.com and apply.

In Intelligent Sport™ you can expect all the high energy thrills of multi-sport action (teams might be mountain biking, kayaking or trail running at night). Success, however, has a higher dependency on strategy, brainpower and team spirit. All concepts are kept under wraps until just before the challenge starts and in this mental playground, crossing the line first does not mean coming first.

What might teams be doing? They might need to decipher complex codes, think laterally, build scaled engineering constructions (eg; a Roman catapult), deal with share price fluctuations, think their way through multiple options and risk-reward opportunities. For companies it’s a way of building great teams for their business. For those taking part it’s the ultimate team experience and great fun.

It is unlikely that Intelligent Sport™ will elbow out 400 metres, the mile and marathon - but with new events launching is Australia, South Africa and Singapore in 2007 and more to follow in 2008, seems to have its place. Perhaps by the end of this century our heroes will be a fusion of Michael Jordan and Albert Einstein. Now there’s a thought!

Challenger World – what’s it all about?

Events include:
•	City Challenge presented by Cisco - Ashdown Forrest, North Downs, England: 22 April 2006
•	Microsoft UK Challenge - Ayrshire, Isle of Arran, Scotland: 7-11 June 2006
•	Cisco Euro Challenge - Mayrhofen, Tirol Region, Austria: 28–30 September 2006
•	US Challenge presented by Fortune - Roanoake, Virginia, USA: 19-22 October 2006
•	World Team Challenge - Malta: 7-10 December 2006

What’s involved:
Working together (day and night) teams are tasked with overcoming the course, terrain and other companies as they race against the clock. Activity can vary from hour to hour as teams run, kayak and mountain bike their way across challenging terrain whilst having to think logically, crack codes and solve puzzles. Taking part is fun but to do well individuals need to communicate clearly, devise a winning strategy and work as a team.

Previous Challenger World winners:

Marsh, Accenture, Lloyds TSB, Barclays Bank, Scania and Airbus.

Previous businesses taking part in Challenger World events:
Qinetiq, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Washington Group International, Volvo.

Business benefits:

Better Teams:
•	Improved decision makers
•	Better communication
•	Increased responsiveness 
•	Strategic thinking
•	Greater flexibility
•	Real Motivation
•	Optimum Productivity

Wider company benefits:
•	Raised company profile
•	Strategic client relationships
•	Charity contribution
•	Staff fitness
•	Networking
•	Career enhancement
•	Fun

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