The 15th annual Chase Corporate Challenge on Long Island, held at Jones Beach State Park on Tuesday evening, July 25, attracted 8,227 employee runners and walkers from 261 corporations, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to participate in a 3.5 mile road race on Jones Beach's Bay Parkway, followed by what has become known as "Long Island's biggest office picnic." The 2000 Chase Corporate Challenge was once again the largest participatory sporting event of any kind held on Long Island this year. Top finisher overall in this year's Chase Corporate Challenge was 42-year-old Don Di Donato of Federal Express, a resident of Hicksville who covered the 3.5 miles in 17:57. It was Don's seventh victory in the last eight years and, as been so often the case in the past, Don was the winner at the expense of Kevin Krause of the Suffolk County Police Department, who stayed stride for stride with Don for three miles, before being outkicked in the final half mile. Kevin finished in 18:08. Syosset resident Robis DeGirmenci of Arrow Electronics was third in 19:09, and Woodbury resident John Del Maestro of the United States Postal Service was fourth in 19:13.

The Chase Corporate Challenge on Long Island is administered by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with Mike Polansky serving as the race director, Mindy Davidson as the deputy race director, Don Butchin as the logistics director. Mary Anne Goldman as the coordinator of volunteers, Dr. Kenneth Ong as the medical director, and David Katz as the technical director. The Wantagh and Melville Volunteer Fire Departments and the Northport Fire Department Bike Patrol helped out with emergency medical teams.

"This is an event that gets better and better every year," observed Deputy Race Director Mindy Davidson. "It provides an incredible venue for companies to provide health and fitness opportunities in the workplace, while promoting goodwill and camaraderie among their employees. Our club is thrilled to be a part of it in partnership with our good friends at The Chase Manhattan Bank. Congratulations to Don Di Donato and all the other finishers for a job well done."