2016 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge Registration is Now Open!

On Thursday, May 19, the streets of downtown Albany will once again be packed. Thousands of feet will pound the pavement up Madison Avenue and through Washington Park. Music will fill the air, along with the laughter and good cheer of co-workers from around the Capital Region who are teaming up for the 2016 CDPHP^® Workforce Team Challenge.

Each year, thousands of runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators gather at the Empire State Plaza in Albany for an evening of entertainment, camaraderie, and healthy fun. More than just a 3.5-mile road race, the event is also a major fundraiser for the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC).

The event is organized by the club, and the funds raised help underwrite many of HMRRC’s activities and services, including college scholarships, grants, irunning clinics, and the Just Run^® Program, which encourages grade-school children to run for exercise and fun.

Additionally, race proceeds also benefit nonprofit organizations chosen by the club each year. This year, two local charities will receive funding support: Girls on the Run^® Capital Region and Schenectady ARC. Race participants are given the opportunity to make a donation to these charities during the registration process.

Girls on the Run Capital Region uses running and other physical activities to teach area girls in grades 3 through 8 essential life skills and core values for living an emotionally healthy and physically active lifestyle. The 10-week program culminates with the girls’ participation in a 5k event. Donations from the 2016 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge will benefit the Lace Up for Girls! scholarship fund, which provides tuition assistance for girls participating in the fall 2016 and spring 2017 program. Girls on the Run will also use funds to provide sneakers for participants in need.

Schenectady ARC assists more than 1,700 individuals in the Capital Region with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helps them lead meaningful, productive, and fully integrated lives in their communities. Donations from the 2016 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge will benefit a number of upcoming recreational and wellness initiatives, including bowling, a therapeutic equine program, and a variety of healthy lifestyle programs. In addition, in collaboration with the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, Inc., Schenectady ARC will offer opportunities for the disabled to participate in Nordic sports events, including snowshoeing, paintball biathlon, and orienteering.

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Fun for All

The race has grown tremendously over the years, drawing hundreds of teams from local businesses and organizations. You don’t need to be an elite runner to take part. In fact, people of all fitness levels are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Everyone, from first-time racers to seasoned runners, can easily train with InMotion^SM, a free fitness tracking site that is available online or on the go via the InMotion mobile app. Runners and walkers can set up a training schedule, map their routes, log their miles, and more.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences – pre-race, day of, and post-race – on the CDPHP Facebook Event page and on Twitter and Instagram using #WorkforceChallenge.

Lend Your Support

Not ready to race? You can still enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere as a volunteer. It takes hundreds of folks to get the event up and running smoothly, and extra help is always needed and appreciated. If you would like to volunteer, you can sign up online.

In addition to volunteers, corporate sponsors have an important role in making the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge a success. Hannaford Supermarkets has been a valuable partner, supplying all the goodies that go in the race day bags, as well as water for the participants. Corporate sponsorships are available at two different levels. Sponsors at both levels will be provided with a tent on the Empire State Plaza, and those who commit to the Premium Level by April 3 will have their company’s name added to the race T-shirts. Click here to find out how to be a race sponsor.

Speaking of shirts … If you are looking for a fun, team-building exercise, consider entering the team T-shirt contest. Awards are given out for most creative, most colorful, most corporate, and best use of the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge logo or name. If you need a screen printer, All U is offering a 10 percent discount to teams competing in the race, plus they are contributing 10 percent of all team T-shirt sales to the 2016 charities of choice.

Ready, Set, Go!

Are you ready for the challenge? Grab your co-workers and sign your team up today! The race will be capped at 10,000 registrants, so early registration is highly recommended. Registration is open until May 6. Visit http://www.cdphpwtc.com/.

Need more motivation? Check out the highlights from the 2014 race!