The Executive Relay event and opening ceremonies follow later at 5:30 and 8 p.m., respectively. There is no charge to attend any of these activities.

A representative of most businesses and organizations entered in the Corporate Challenge games will run the event torch part of the relay course, much like the Olympic flame is relayed from Greece by runners. The torch will head east on Fremont Street from its start at Main Street, and be carried during the day as far north as Lake Mead Boulevard, west to Rainbow Boulevard, east to Nellis Boulevard and south to Sahara Avenue, before finishing that night at the Fremont Street Experience stage at Third Street to light the cauldron.

The Executive Relay will be held in front of Neonopolis, on Fremont Street at Las Vegas Boulevard. Always amusing for onlookers, the comical race calls for participants to demonstrate a variety of executive skills as they race against the clock to achieve specific goals in the shortest time. With approximately 80 teams entered this year, the relay event is expected to last at least 90 minutes. Teams from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada Power Company, Southwest Airlines and Tronox won the 2006 relay in their respective divisions. Companies are divided into four divisions, based on their number of employees. This makes competition fairer, so companies with only a few employees are not challenging those with a base of thousands.

The 12-week Corporate Challenge competition is a healthy way for employees to stay physically active, build teamwork and friendships, and become more at home in the community as they participate in the 33 events held at 27 locations throughout the city. Corporate Challenge fosters company pride, corporate wellness and unity, and has done so every year since 1985.

Many of today's most successful local companies and organizations have been involved in this annual activity for many years. Their names will be displayed on the canopy of lights at Fremont Street Experience during opening ceremonies while their representatives participate in the Parade of Banners that starts at 8 p.m. and moves down Fremont Street from First to Third Street. Opening ceremonies at the Third Street stage on Fremont will include an honor guard, national anthem sung by the Corporate Challenge Idol contest winner, crowd giveaways, the introduction of sponsors and special guests, lighting the cauldron and plenty of team spirit. Ponder Band will play cover tunes from the '80s through today for an hour beginning at 9 p.m., adding to the block party atmosphere.

Events will continue through June 16, and include most sports as well as less strenuous activities - a blood drive, chess, 8-ball, darts, poker, table tennis, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce and a T-shirt design contest. Spectators are always welcome to attend Corporate Challenge activities at no cost. Closing ceremonies will be held at Centennial Hills Park June 16 at 11 a.m.

Corporate Challenge is operated by the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services. For more information on Corporate Challenge 2007, go online to http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/information/5216.htm or contact Andrea Anzalone at (702) 229-6706.

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