This May, 150 employees from 26 sites across the globe laced up their running shoes, hopped on their bikes, hit the pool, and got moving for our fifth annual Miles for Minds challenge—a fun initiative that promotes mental wellbeing through physical activity during Mental Health Awareness Month.
In just four weeks, employees collectively logged more than 12,000 miles through walking, running, cycling and swimming, bringing the all-time Miles for Minds mileage to 87,000 miles since the first competition in 2021—equivalent to circumnavigating the world nearly 3.5 times! The competition also helps lower our commuter carbon footprint by encouraging biking and walking to work.
The competition saw some remarkable individual performances. António Pinto, Payloader Operator at our Lisbon Refinery, cycled an impressive 503 miles in the competition’s final week, and Vusie Mamba, Raw Sugar Customs Licensing Administrator based at the Bedford Street Office in London, ran a record-breaking 248 miles in just the first week.
“As a regular runner, I always look forward to Miles for Minds,” said Vusie. “Running makes me feel alive and keeps me strong. I set myself specific short-term running goals, and seeing the positive results helps me push my limits and to keep going with my fitness journey.”
At our Baltimore Refinery, Joe Dadzie, Corporate Project Engineer II, found the challenge to be a motivating way to boost his mileage during the marathon offseason.
“I got into long-distance running years ago, and a couple of coworkers mentioned the Miles for Minds program to me last year,” he said. “I joined last year and have had a fun time since! Running outside energizes me, relieves stress and preps me for the races.”
Fellow Baltimorean Frederick Wilson II, R&T Process Engineer, also took advantage of the competition to stay active between training seasons. He used both running and biking to rack up miles, shifting his runs to the mornings to help improve sleep and energy.
“It’s actually faster for me to bike by the Inner Harbor with the dedicated bike lanes than sit in car traffic,” he said. “Plus, I get to enjoy more time spent outside.”
Frederick also enjoyed tracking the progress of coworkers at other sites.
“I’d like to think someone is seeing my high mileage weeks and encouraging themselves to push a little further to keep up!” he said.
Over the course of the challenge, employees had the unique opportunity to learn more about their colleagues around the globe as participants shared photos from their walks, runs, bike rides, and swims through the Strava app. These glimpses into teammates’ activities not only added a personal touch but also fostered a greater sense of connection across sites.
Irma Pereles, Supply Chain Strategy Program Manager based at our corporate headquarters in West Palm Beach, also enjoyed this element of the initiative.
“After participating last year, I eagerly anticipated this year’s Miles for Minds challenge,” she said. “I found that it provided a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from various parts of the world while we paused to practice self-care. I especially appreciated my walking time, which served as my way to disconnect and unwind after each day. Over time, this practice became a habit that I will continue long after the challenge ends.”
Though Miles for Minds is rooted in community and personal growth, a little friendly competition helped keep things fun. The Lisbon Refinery won back the Miles for Minds trophy from Thames, and weekly winners were recognized in each activity category.
From sunrise swims to lunchtime walks to carbon-free bike rides to work, Miles for Minds once again showcased the power of movement to boost both body and mind—and brought colleagues across the globe together in the process.