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Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Hong Kong Square Mile Relay

In 2015, Barclays killed it in London, Macquarie Group just missed out in Hong Kong, and Jones Lang Lasalle made top three in Shanghai.

No, we’re not talking about some competitive international bid you didn’t know about, but the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, a global corporate race which launched in Sydney this week.

Organised by Square Mile Sport and sponsored by Bloomberg, the relay series was created in 2007 and has been held annually in London, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong and Shanghai since its inception.

Unlike other running events, the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is only open to corporations, with participants from each organisation challenging competing organisations for pole position as they weave their way through a closed 1.6km route in the newly redeveloped Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.

Teams will be made up of 10 runners, each expected to complete the 1.6km course before they can hand their baton to their team mate. The team with the fastest cumulative time for 10 one-mile laps will be crowned champions and obtain bragging rights for being the fastest to navigate the city.

To sweeten the deal, the winners will also walk away with $10,000 to be donated to the charity of their choice.

Because in Australia work-life balance (and after-work drinks) is a huge priority, the race will culminate in an after-race party, when live music will kick off the evening before the race results are delivered. The after-party, which provides food and drinks, is also open to supporters.

“The race embodies collaboration and speed in business and it's going to be great to see so many of our customers, employees and industry peers running alongside each other for their chosen charities,” said Emily Gordon, Head of Bloomberg Australia.

The annual sporting event has seen more than 100 teams enter the relay race at each location every year, with New York and Frankfurt also holding their inaugural races in 2016.

The #WeRunThisCity Sydney leg will be held on Wednesday, March 16, and costs $1,595 + GST for a team of ten runners. There is currently an early bird rate of $1,395 + GST, which ends on January 25. Prices include entry for runners to the post-race event, while additional hospitality packages will be available to purchase online at a later date for supporters.

To register, please visit www.squaremilerelay.com/sydney. Registrations close on Friday March 11.