Over the past four years, the event has grown into an important fixture on the city’s corporate calendar, bringing together companies from different sectors for running, team-building, and networking. This year, hundreds of participants took part, forming teams of four, with each member running a 4km leg in a relay format.

The event featured ten business categories, including banking, legal, and retail. It allows companies to compete against peers within their sector. 

It provided an opportunity for professionals to step away from office routines, with colleagues running side by side while also meeting peers from other companies and building connections across Bloemfontein’s business community.

“The idea is for businesses to compete against each other and make it more fun, banking against banking, law against law, and finance against finance,” said Standard Bank Business Relay organiser Elso Coetzee.

Standard Bank emphasises its role extends beyond traditional banking, highlighting a commitment to building lasting partnerships that drive growth. The Business Relay reflects the bank’s core values of teamwork, resilience, and progress, making it a natural fit for their vision.

Standard Bank, as the main partner, highlighted the event’s role in promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle. The relay organisers said fostering a sense of community among businesses remained a primary goal.

“For us, it’s a proud moment to be a part of it, and firstly from an organisation perspective, it's important for us, for our people, but also for the community.”

Thando Mohlamme and Kevin de Beer at the Standard Bank Business Relay award ceremony. Photo: Eva Molekane

“It's just fantastic to see the community come out, communicate, collaborate and compete,” said head of client coverage for business banking in the Free State and Northern Cape, Kevin de Beer.

The fifth edition ended with a strong turnout and an energetic atmosphere. Its growing popularity suggests it will remain a key fixture on Bloemfontein’s corporate calendar. 

OFM News/Eva Molekane dg