We’re partnering with Poland Business Run again

From “I will never run in any relay again” to “I am a proud ambassador of the Poland Business Run!”. Is such a shift even possible? We talked to Maria Pyrzanowska and Michał Ciszewski who have been running in Poland Business Run for many years. Standard Chartered Poland has once again joined the event as its strategic sponsor.

Maria is a business analyst and works in project coordination. What’s more, she co-runs the Wellbeing Network, one of the employee resource groups in our Polish office. What is its goal? A holistic support of colleagues’ physical, mental and social wellbeing. Maria also leads the Running Club – a group that trains together in spring and summer to prepare for the annual sports challenge and Poland Business Run. However, she remembers that the beginnings were not always easy.

“I remember my first time at Poland Business Run. I stood at the starting line, together with people who wanted to beat their personal records. For me, a relay race was a complete novelty – I didn’t even like running at that point! Trying to catch up with the fastest runners was too much and I got really discouraged. Overwhelmed by emotions, I decided to never participate in another relay.

Fortunately, this thought didn’t stay with me for long – I started training more often, and running grew on me. This kind of exercise is great not only for physical fitness, but also for the psyche. Later on, I got involved in organising the race as a volunteer. I was motivated by the beneficiaries’ stories, people with motor disabilities and after mastectomy, for whom every kilometre completed by runners is an immense help on their way to health and better quality of life. I understood that I didn’t need to be the fastest one. The result is important, of course, but I am just as happy about the opportunity to integrate with my colleagues and support the Foundation.”

Michał, in addition to his professional duties as the team leader responsible for assessing the climate risk of Standard Chartered clients, co-chairs the Gender Equality Network in Poland. One of the group’s pillars are health promotion campaigns focused on the prevention of oncological diseases, both among women and men.

“I have been participating in the Poland Business Run for many years, ever since I joined Standard Chartered. Although each year my team is a bit different, I always tend to be the team captain. I have particularly fond memories of 2022, when I had the chance to meet the Foundation’s beneficiaries in person during the big relay in Cracow.

The run itself is very inclusive. For my daily workouts I choose cycling, I don’t run often, but still, I am able to complete the 4-kilometres distance without major difficulties. It’s great that you can also walk, run on a treadmill or even participate on a wheelchair. This way, even more people can join, regardless of their fitness level or health. As a co-chair of the Gender Equality Network, I am also glad to see that people after mastectomy are among the ones receiving support. One of our main campaigns is health education, including breast cancer awareness.”

Sport and helping – these two elements are a natural part of life for many Standard Chartered employees. The Bank is the main sponsor of the Liverpool Football Club. Apart from the running club, the Warsaw office runs groups that train climbing, tennis and football together. And each employee can use 3 additional days of fully paid volunteering leave to support charity initiatives of their choice.

“Poland Business Run combines what is most important to us – helping, building a community, and supporting wellbeing”, says Anna Urbańska, CEO of Standard Chartered Poland. “Every year, there are more runners joining the relay which makes me really happy. I’m running too and already can’t wait for September! For the sixth time, we are joining forces, regardless of the position in the company, seniority, age or individual beliefs.”

Although there is still some time until the run, our ambassadors know that it is best to start the preparations early.

“Analyse your abilities and approach the run ambitiously, but don’t overdo it”. Maria recalls her first experiences with a laugh. “Check the weather and plan your route well if you are running in a location of your choice, so that there are no obstacles. It is also worth reading the profiles of the Run’s Beneficiaries to feel even more motivated to finish the race.”

Michał emphasises the important role of the team captain.

“As the captain, I feel responsible for the entire team. I try to motivate my colleagues, give them the most important information about the race, or plan a joint meeting to keep up the team spirit. I hope that this year we will be able to run together alongside the Vistula River in Warsaw.”

As the strategic sponsor of Poland Business Run 2024, we wish all participants good luck and see you at the starting line on 8 September!