DHL is a big topic around the office.
At Dwarf, the DHL Relay isn't just about running fast. It's about running fast enough. To make the competition fair, we adjust the times based on both age and gender. If you're older than CEO Lars Berntsen, seconds are added to your time; if you're younger, they're deducted. Women and men also have different calculations. In short, it's not just about who crosses the finish line first, but who beats Lars on the adjusted time.
“August is a tough month at the office. DHL is on everyone’s mind, and there isn’t a day that goes by without Strava updates, discussions about interval training and debates over the right pair of running shoes. The level has gotten so high that I’ve had to invest in an expensive pair of carbon-plated shoes myself. Luckily, I have the age handicap on my side, which works increasingly in my favour year by year. After all, there’s pride, bragging rights and an entire year at the office at stake,” says Lars Berntsen, CEO at Dwarf.
“Last year, only two people ran their way to an extra day off, and one of them had to break 20 minutes to beat me. This year, I can feel that more people are smelling blood. And they’re annoyingly motivated,” Lars adds.
From Excel sheet to our own AI Tool
The old Excel sheet has finally met its match. This year, Dwarf has taken things a step further and built its own digital solution for keeping track of the times.
“We’ve now built our own tracking tool with the help of AI, complete with a few fun features. It makes perfect sense for us. We work with digital concepts for our clients every day, so it’s only natural to turn that thinking inwards and use it ourselves. I’ll also be tracked live on the day, so everyone can follow how close I am to losing a day off,” says Lars Berntsen.
He is proud that what started as a simple concept more than 15 years ago has grown into one of the year’s biggest events at Dwarf.
30 Runners, 70 Employees, One Big Party
This year, 30 of Dwarf’s 70 employees are taking part, compared to just 15 four years ago. The motivation varies. For some, it’s all about the time and the ranking; for others, it’s simply about getting some exercise, running their first 5K, having a good time and enjoying a day out with colleagues in a different setting.
Take a guess at who will win
Those cheering from the sidelines take part in another big tradition: guessing how many days off Lars Berntsen will end up giving away this year. Want to make your own guess at how many days off Dwarf’s CEO will have to give up?
And if you’re around on Friday, stop by tent 31, say hello and join the party.
