Office Chair Race Competition

The Office Chair Race Competition is a recreational event held in multiple countries, aiming to promote urban vitality and relieve stress for white-collar workers.

Host Countries and Objectives

The Office Chair Race Competition has been held in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and Japan. Its objectives are diverse. On one hand, it promotes urban vitality, allowing cities to showcase a unique vitality and charm during the event. On the other hand, it serves as a platform for white-collar workers to relieve stress, providing them with a unique opportunity to relax and unwind.

Competition Format and Rules

• Track Conditions: The length of the track varies, ranging from 30 meters to 200 meters. For example, in the competition held in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, organizers laid a dedicated track approximately 200 meters long and closed off the surrounding area to ensure a safe and orderly environment for the race.
• Participating Teams and Individuals: There are both individual races and relay races. In the Saitama Prefecture competition, about 170 participants were divided into 56 teams, with 3 members per team. In the Tokyo competition, there were 31 teams with approximately 93 participants, also with 3 members per team.
• Race Duration and Progress: The race duration is typically two hours. In the Saitama Prefecture competition, it was divided into two rounds. First, the 56 teams competed in the preliminary round, and the winning 28 teams advanced to compete for the Chair Gold Award. For teams participating in the Chair Gold Award, the 3 members sat on office chairs, kicked the ground with their feet to move backward, and needed to alternate for a full two hours.
• Movement Method: Participants slide and race on office chairs, using only their legs to propel the chairs without relying on any external forces. This tests the participants' leg strength and coordination.

Competition Results and Rewards

In the Saitama Prefecture competition, the winning team from Kyoto covered approximately 25 kilometers in two hours. The championship prize was 90 kilograms of locally produced rice from Yamagata Prefecture, a reward that not only had local characteristics but also reflected the generous recognition of the champion team.