With 700 employees, REWE Group had the largest group of runners at the B2Run company run in Cologne, with a total of around 1,000 nationwide. For most of them, running (and running) as a team with their colleagues was more important than their own fitness.
The nationwide B2Run company running event has now reached its finale in Cologne - and its climax, at least from REWE Group's point of view. Because 700 colleagues ran, walked or Nordic-walked the 5-km course around the Cologne stadium, accompanied by drum groups, clapping relatives and the company's own health management team. The company's health management team not only took care of registration, but also distributed team jerseys, water, pretzels, fruit and sandwiches on site and had already ensured optimum preparation for the run in advance via the Gemeinsam.topfit health platform.
REWE Group's commitment to the company run earned it the title of "fittest company", but more important to everyone involved was the team spirit that was palpable before, during and after the run. Almost everyone had registered together with colleagues, started as a group - and crossed the finish line as a group. Fun came before winning, team spirit before top results.
Nathalie Kriegel from Health Management asked us why REWE Group is involved in the B2Run company run:
one: Nathalie, the REWE Group was honoured by B2Run as the "fittest company". What does this award mean? 
Nathalie Kriegel, Health Management
Nathalie Kriegel: We took part in the Cologne race with 700 runners. This made REWE Group the large corporation with the most participants. That's why we received the award. In total, almost 1,000 REWE Group employees took part in the seven B2Run events across Germany, including Cologne.
one: Was that more than last year?
Nathalie Kriegel: Yes! Last year, we registered 450 employees in Cologne.
one: How do you explain the increased interest in the run?
Nathalie Kriegel: Firstly, we communicated more and more widely. And word has got around within the departments that the B2Run is a good team event. In most cases, several colleagues from one department have signed up to run together. Not only from Cologne, but also from REWE West in Hürth and the Lekkerland site in Frechen, for example.
one: This running event certainly means a lot of work for your department, i.e. health management. Why are you involved here?
Nathalie Kriegel: That's right, it's a labour-intensive event. That's why we're so pleased about the huge turnout. Our aim with the B2Run is to offer all colleagues the opportunity for low-threshold health promotion. With a distance of five kilometres, a company run like this can be an introduction to exercise and running. Unlike, for example, the Cologne Marathon, which we also support, which is more for advanced runners.but the B2Run is for everyone. And the high number of participants proves us legal.
one asked some of the employees about their motivation for the B2Run before the run, here are some answers that are representative of most of them:
"I'm taking part because I want to set a good example as a senior manager".
"We motivated each other to take part."
"We are taking part for fun, and our goal is definitely to stay together and cross the finish line together."
"We want to cross the finish line together."
"We took part last year and it created such a team spirit. That was a lot of fun."
"Of course, it would be nice if there was also beer at the REWE Group stand afterwards..."
"It's just a cool event, we're taking part for the second time."
