NEW RECORD SET FOR “ST. LOUIS’ HEALTHIEST HAPPY HOUR” WITH 7,300 PARTICIPANTS REGISTERED AND A TOTAL OF 256 COMPANIES REPRESENTED

ST. LOUIS – May 6, 2024 – The Biz Dash 5K presented by World Wide Technology set a new record with 7,300 participants registered, representing 256 companies and organizations from across the region.  All will converge on Downtown St. Louis Thursday, May 9 for “St. Louis’ Healthiest Happy Hour.” 

In its ninth year, the Biz Dash brings the St. Louis business community together in a fun and unique way with a 5K run/walk mixed with a festive atmosphere featuring music, food, drinks, and entertainment.  St. Louis’ version of the corporate run has become a staple on the calendars of businesses of all sizes and among a variety of industries as a way to promote team camaraderie and living a healthy, active lifestyle.

“The Sports Commission is proud to bring thousands of employees from our area’s business community together for a fabulous evening celebrating wellness, inclusion, and team building,” said Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber.  “As we work to grow and strengthen St. Louis, it’s a focus of ours to bring activity and vibrancy to Downtown St. Louis.  Just as with the major national events we attract to our region, the Biz Dash is a great example of how we do that.”

For the third consecutive year, the Biz Dash takes place on the grounds of CITYPARK, home of St. Louis CITY SC.  Company teams will gather starting at 5 p.m. in the Spire Team Village which encompasses CITYPARK’s Lou Fusz Plaza and 20th Street between Market and Olive. 

The Biz Dash will have a St. Louis Blues twist this year as NHL and Blues Hall of Famer Bernie Federko serves as grand marshal of the Biz Dash, including dropping the puck as the official race starter, and high-fiving runners at the finish line. 

“It’s an honor to join the Biz Dash as grand marshal this year as it represents so much of what I love about St. Louis…pride, camaraderie, and uniting as a community around a worthy cause,” said Federko.  “This is the best sports town in America, which we’ve seen time and time again with the support the Blues have received for decades, and it is truly due to the way St. Louis fans galvanize behind our teams and big events like the Biz Dash.”

Biz Dash companies compete against one another within 18 different industry categories.  The industry with the most companies entered in this year’s Biz Dash is “Engineering / Architecture / Construction” with 48.   Awards are given to the top company team in each industry category, and individual awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers and the top male and female C-level executives. 

The Biz Dash 5K race begins at 7 p.m. with a popular route starting on Market Street in front of Union Station, traveling east toward the Arch, with views of Soldiers Memorial, Stifel Theatre, Citygarden, Busch Stadium, and Ballpark Village, before finishing on Chestnut Street on the north side of Aloe Plaza with the gleaming CITYPARK just beyond the finish line.  The race route has become a favorite for competitive runners and casual runners/walkers because of its flat elevation and minimal turns, while remaining scenic with the backdrop of some of the most iconic structures and landscapes in St. Louis. 

Presenting sponsor World Wide Technology registered the most participants for the ninth year in a row with 700 of its employees signed up to run or walk. 

“We circle the Biz Dash on the calendar every year – it is such an awesome way to gather employees from all sectors of our company in a laid back, inclusive, and motivational atmosphere,” said World Wide Technology CFP Tom Strunk.  “The Biz Dash aligns perfectly with our core values and culture, as we are always looking to invest in the empowerment and well-being of our employees.”

The Biz Dash is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission.  Proceeds from the event benefit the St. Louis Sports Foundation, the Sports Commission’s 501c3 charitable affiliate which implements programs that foster a culture of sportsmanship and create positive experiences for kids to play sports.  

2024 Biz Dash Schedule of Events
5:00 p.m.         Spire Team Village Opens (CITYPARK’s Lou Fusz Plaza)
6:10 p.m.          Biz Dash Welcome and Pre-Race Awards
6:30 p.m.         Warm-Up sponsored by Audacy
7:00 p.m.         Biz Dash 5K Begins (start line on Market Street in front of Union Station)
8:15 p.m.          Awards Ceremony sponsored by Bally Sports
9:00 p.m.         Spire Team Village Closes


Learn more at stlbizdash.com.