All of sports-loving Germany is currently fixated on one event – the upcoming European Football Championship in their own country. All of sports-loving Germany? Fortunately, no. Frankfurt, although a host city for five Euro 2024 matches, is well aware that there is much more to celebrate than just sports where a bunch of highly-paid stars chase a round piece of leather for 90 minutes.

Last week, as every year, thousands of people from the inner city office towers and the surrounding Frankfurt area made their way to the longest banana stand in Germany. Around 60,000 sports enthusiasts in colourful running gear participated in the 30th edition of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge (JPMCC), covering the 5.6 km by running, jogging, or walking.

Among the primary colours of the company shirts, the serious, trust-inspiring, and satisfaction-inducing blue dominated in all imaginable shades, as it does every year. This colour is especially favoured by t-shirt designers in the financial sector. Deutsche Bahn opted for light blue. Given the frequent disruptions in normal operations, and the fact that regional commuters often find themselves searching for alternative trains or other means of transportation, we must all hope that the preparations and construction work have been sufficient to handle the additional influx of passengers during the European Championship.

For other runners, the entire colour spectrum, including neon variants, was on display. To stand out, participants resorted to extreme measures – running backwards, or dressing up as an astronaut or a Maggi bottle. Perhaps someone simply lost a bet.

Even without the betting, it can be said that it was a fantastic event. The streets between the usually grey office towers were filled with a colourful crowd. The company cheerleading squads were out in force with pom-poms, and the signs ranged from meticulously prepared and printed on tarpaulins to hastily written on cardboard. Drummers added to the festive atmosphere, and the party tents and event locations at the base of many bank towers were full. The enticing smell of freshly grilled meat wafted through the air, and the restaurants along the route, and in the home districts of the company teams, filled up afterwards. Frankfurt's corporate scene has proven it can throw a party – now the European Championship must step up.