2026-05-26
Team spirit is born not only in meeting rooms: why companies choose the “Women’s Challenge” in Palanga
Team-building events today are no longer limited to dinners at restaurants or a few activities in conference rooms. More and more companies are looking for experiences that naturally bring employees closer together – through emotions, shared decisions, and unexpected situations. That is exactly why the “Women’s Challenge” rally, sponsored by “OlyBet” and taking place during the “Aurum 1006 km Race” festival, attracts an increasing number of corporate teams every year.
On July 17, female crews will line up at the starting line in Palanga, with more than 80 teams already registered. Since the number of participants in the challenge is limited, only twenty spots remain for those wishing to test themselves. Throughout the day, participants will have to complete a route of more than one hundred kilometers featuring slalom stages as well as various teamwork- and creativity-based tasks. Importantly, any regular daily-use car is suitable for the event, as the rally takes place in accordance with public traffic regulations.
“Events like these allow people to get to know each other much better. There are so many genuine emotions, spontaneity, laughter, and shared excitement. Together we search for solutions, support one another, and naturally become a team not only at work, but beyond it as well,” says Giedrė Kuprienė, accountant at “Aros Marine,” who has been encouraging the company’s female employees to participate for several years now.
According to her, experiences like these create a connection that simply cannot be built during a formal team-building session.
“After experiences like this, people genuinely become closer. Returning to work, what remains is not only memories or photos, but a completely different relationship between colleagues. Communication becomes easier, there is more trust, more support in everyday situations. Experiences like this build a very strong sense of team spirit,” she says.
At “Aros Marine,” participation in the “Women’s Challenge” has already become something of a tradition, with as many as ten teams registered this year. Kuprienė says the company’s attitude toward shared activities and employee engagement plays a major role in that.
“For our team, the ‘Women’s Challenge’ rally is becoming a highly anticipated summer adventure and a beautiful tradition. We also strongly feel the support of the company shareholders – they themselves are close to other forms of motorsport such as drifting and karting, so they encourage the team to get involved, test themselves, and not be afraid of unconventional experiences like this,” she explains.
Algis Latakas, CEO of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority – a partner of the race weekend – also believes that experiences like these strengthen relationships between employees:
“Shared experiences outside meeting rooms, offices, and countless Teams calls strengthen a team – we see each other not only without formal attire and in unexpected situations, but we also gain things to talk about over coffee or during those silent moments in the elevator.”
Event organizer Jolanta Iselionienė also notices that the “Women’s Challenge” becomes much more than just a one-day entertainment event for corporate teams.
“In the workplace we usually stay within our usual roles, but here the situations are completely different – participants need to navigate, solve unexpected tasks, improvise, and sometimes change plans at the very last minute. In situations like these, the true dynamics of a team become visible very quickly, but most importantly, it all happens through a positive, exciting, and fun experience,” she says.
According to the organizer, speed is far less important in this rally than the ability to cooperate.
“These are not races where the fastest team wins. Very often, the winners are the teams that communicate best, understand the tasks most accurately, and make the smartest decisions. That’s why newcomers should not be afraid – experience helps, but it does not guarantee victory,” says Iselionienė.
She notes that most teams remember the emotions rather than the results after crossing the finish line:
“Most teams leave not with trophies, but with stories – funny misunderstandings in the car, spontaneous decisions, newly discovered places, and unexpectedly strong team connections. Very often, what participants remember most after the event is not the result, but the day itself and the emotions they experienced.”
Over the past nine years, the event has become one of the most anticipated summer traditions for many companies. Teams return every year, involve new colleagues, and preparations for the rally often begin long before the starting line.
“An internal excitement appears, preparation begins, and even friendly competition develops between teams. That is a sign that the event has become more than just a one-time adventure – it has become a highly anticipated annual occasion,” says Iselionienė.
Additional excitement comes from the fact that the rally takes place during the legendary “Aurum 1006 km Race” festival.
According to Latakas, events like this create connections that later naturally transfer into everyday work life.
“These events create an invisible bond that later becomes useful at work as well – we already know who will be the adventurous one encouraging everyone to push harder, who will let go of the steering wheel in fear and cover their eyes, and who will take initiative into their own hands,” he says with a smile.
In Latakas’ view, the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race weekend at the seaside has long become more than just a motorsport event.
“It is a tradition without which we can no longer imagine summer at the Lithuanian seaside. A tradition that always brings plenty of emotions, team spirit, personal growth, music, and vibrant colors,” says Latakas.