By logging 6,293 miles, employees from UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center combined to take home first place during the Corporate Cycling Challenge on Aug. 19.
The medical center total — a record for the event — outpaced last year’s champion, Union Pacific, who logged 5,802 employee miles, and Alegent, whose employees rode 4,451 miles.
About 350 medical center employees and employee family members rode in the challenge this year.
The medical center’s 2007 total was almost a 60 percent improvement over its 2006 total of 3,943 employee miles.
“I’m thrilled with the turnout and performance of our employees,” said Peter Pellertito of the UNMC Center for Healthy Living. “I knew if we came with a strong showing we would have a good chance of winning and that’s just what happened. Congratulations to all medical center employees who rode in the challenge.”
The 2008 Corporate Cycling Challenge is set for Saturday, Aug. 17 and will include an increased family component. Dependents who join medical center employees in riding in the challenge will be able to log 50 percent of their miles for their relative’s respective team.
“The challenge already is a wonderful family event and being able to log family miles will only add to the fun,” Pellerito said. “I have no doubt our employees and their families will help us successfully defend our title.”