This year the three day Microsoft event will have competitors from across domains like ICICI, Unilever, Mico, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Satyam Computer Services, Barclays Bank, Pepsi Foods, JWT, Reliance Capital, Morgan Stanley, JM Financial, RMZ and Indiatimes.

Based on a non-linear race format, the Microsoft Corporate Challenge is contested across five to six stages, each demanding a combination of physical and mental activities.

From running, cycling, rowing and trekking, to light engineering tasks, cracking codes and negotiating board games with a twist, the event challenges teams to push themselves to the extreme and work together as a unit.

Each team will consist of seven members out of which at least two members must be women and one a part of the senior management of the organization.

Speaking on Microsoft‘s association with the Corporate Challenge, Microsoft COO Doug Hauger said, "Microsoft has found the event to be a great platform for demonstrating and inspiring people to translate their potential into achieving real goals much like our ‘people ready‘ business software. No other event exemplifies the importance of people and teamwork more than the Microsoft Corporate Challenge and we are happy to continue our association with the event till 2009".

The Microsoft Corporate Challenge has been conceptualized and is managed and produced by Sports Media Limited and DNA Networks.

Sports Media Ltd MD Prem Bhatia said, "With ICICI winning the inaugural event, and Standard Chartered winning the second edition, this year is going to be tougher and far more competitive. The course design has taken us six months to finalize and will reward the physically able, mentally astute, and companies that have good strategy and are completely cohesive as a unit."

The first edition of the Microsoft Corporate Challenge was held in Goa in 2005 and the second edition in 2006 was held in Kochi.

Standard Chartered Bank emerged victorious in 2006, while Bennett Coleman and Company finished second and JM Morgan Stanley in third place.