It's a Cheer Shockwave! Local Groups Cheer on Runners in the 6th Annual BMO Harris Bank Madison-Mini Marathon & 5K

On Saturday, August 16, over 5,500 runners from across the Midwest participated in the 2014 BMO Harris Bank Madison Mini-Marathon & 5K presented by UW Health.

To kick off the Madison-Mini Marathon & 5K, BMO Harris Bank launched the 2nd annual BMO Harris Bank Cheer Challenge. The Cheer Challenge is a competitive initiative designed to add energy and spirit to the racecourse to help motivate runners. This year, over 100 participants turned up the volume to cheer on runners while competing for the Cheer Challenge title.

“This year’s Cheer Challenge was a huge success and a great tribute to all the runners who participated this year,” said Doug Nelson, Regional President, Business Banking, BMO Harris Bank. “By supporting races like the Madison Mini-Marathon, it gives us the opportunity to recognize local groups who exemplify teamwork, commitment, and creativity both on and off the racecourse. A special thank you to our employee volunteers who helped to make this year’s race a success and congratulations to our 2014 Cheer Challenge winners!”

How the Cheer Challenge worked:
• Community-based groups, clubs, youth teams and schools applied for the chance to earn up to $2,500 for their group.
• Teams who applied shared how their group impacts the community, how they will add spirit on the course, and how they will use the prize money if they win.
• A select group of BMO employees judged competing cheer groups on their energy, spirit and creativity.
• Runners also voted on their favorite cheer group.

This year’s Cheer Challenge was highly competitive! The eight groups selected to participate on race day included: Alpha Kappa Psi, Boys & Girls Club of Dane County Torch Club, Center for Patient Partnerships, Family Respite Care Services, Girls Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland Council, Green County Family YMCA, Stoughton High School Dance Team, and Team in Training.

Three cheer groups stood out amongst the competition by engaging judges and runners in a variety of energetic and unique cheers throughout the race.

Cheer Challenge winners: Grand Prize - $2,500 – Stoughton High School Dance Team

First Prize - $1,500 – Family Respite Care Services

Second Prize - $1,000 – Green County Family YMCA

Forty BMO employees either ran in the race or volunteered at the race to show their Team BMO pride. BMO Harris Bank had volunteers positioned at the start/finish line, and half marathon aid station.