The Jaguar Land Rover Challenge Celebrates it's 30th Anniversary with a weekend of outdoor challenges.

• 600 Jaguar Land Rover employees and suppliers participate in 30^th Outdoor Team Challenge in Llangollen, Wales
• A team  of  former graduates won the Challenge Trophy after running 37 miles, a greater distance than an ultra-marathon, in just 11 hours
• Polar explorer and Land Rover ambassador Ben Saunders gave an inspirational talk about his record-breaking South Pole expedition
• More than 10,500 employees have participated in the challenge since it was established in 1985

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest automotive employer, is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the UK’s largest and longest running corporate challenge. The Jaguar Land Rover Challenge is an outdoor team challenge weekend for teams of employees who set up camp then participate in a full day of walking and team activities the next day. The highest scoring team wins the ‘Golden Boot’ trophy.

This year’s event was based in the Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, which hosts the International Music Eisteddfod. The teams comprising 600 employees camped at the site overnight then started the Challenge early the next morning. Participants had 11 hours to cover various walking routes totalling 53km and activities including abseiling, mountain biking in Llandegla Forest, a canoe challenge in the Llangollen canal, a Land Rover Experience driving challenge and various problem-solving challenges.

Ken Gregor, Chief Financial Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, presented the awards on behalf of the Board.  Ken said, “The Jaguar Land Rover Challenge is a fantastic event with an incredible spirit of energy, enthusiasm and camaraderie.  I’ve participated in the Challenge five times and know what an enjoyable as well as physically demanding event it is.  The Challenge builds teamwork and friendships: it’s great to see colleagues taking on new challenges, pushing above and beyond their normal limits and supporting each other when the going gets tough.  

Our business is the ultimate team sport and our biggest asset is our people.  If we can harness this spirit of teamwork and energy, which has been truly impressive today, we can overcome any challenge Jaguar Land Rover faces.”

The Mighty, a team of engineers who have all completed the company’s two year graduate programme, won the 30th anniversary Challenge for a second consecutive year after running 37 miles and participating in a large number of activities during the competition. 

Team member Chris Bellamy explained, “We’re absolutely delighted to win the Challenge Golden Boot. We’ve all been friends since we started the graduate programme a few years ago and really enjoy taking part. We spent a lot of time planning our route, worked hard and were determined to keep pushing ourselves and also had some practice sessions to make sure we were in good shape. I think the Challenge a great event, you can get to know people outside the office, build friendships on shared experiences, improve your fitness and strengthen problem-solving and team-working skills whilst having fun.’

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations at Jaguar Land Rover explained, “We are delighted to be celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Jaguar Land Rover Challenge, which I’ve been involved with from its inception. We’ve seen the challenge grow from strength to strength over recent years with the support of our delivery partner Elan Valley Lodge to accommodate the growing demand from our workforce. 

This year, we have a diverse range of teams including apprentices and graduates, employees some of whom have competed for 25 years and various supplier teams. The event wouldn’t be possible without the support of Elan Valley Lodge, organising committee, volunteer marshals, St. John’s Ambulance and the local communities where we base ourselves each year. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Polar explorer Ben Saunders, who is a Land Rover brand ambassador, gave an inspirational talk to employees before the award ceremony after touring the key sites and meeting teams taking part in the event. Ben commented, “The 30th Anniversary Jaguar Land Rover Challenge - with 100 teams and 600 participants competing in deepest Wales - was an extraordinary testament to the brilliant people that bring Jaguar Land Rover’s class-leading vehicles to life. 

My toughest expeditions have taught me that the ability to rely on the people around you is a crucial factor in performing at the highest level, and this unique event demonstrated that teamwork, leadership, and the willingness to tackle challenges head-on is something that unites Jaguar Land Rover as a business."