On Your Mark, Get Set, Go…
CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge

By Ben Heller & Chris Bishop

The CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge, the largest running and walking event in the Capital Region, is coming up on Thursday, May 18 at 6:25pm at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. It’s organized by and serves as the major fundraiser for the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club, and the welcoming event is a rite of passage in the local running community. Runners and walkers complete a 3.5-mile loop around Washington Park, which is a hub of activity all year. Registration is open for business and organization teams of all sizes with a registration deadline of May 1.

The challenge is open to all fitness levels from runners, joggers and walkers. The large number of participants creates a sense of excitement and energy in downtown Albany as people come together to celebrate fitness, teamwork and camaraderie. The size of the event is important as it provides an opportunity for local businesses and non-profit organizations to showcase their commitment to health and wellness, and to support the community in a tangible way. CDPHP is now in its 13th year as the primary sponsor. 

This Workforce Team Challenge can also change lives. Many people join to support their fellow workmates but have never run. However, as they train, many come to enjoy running and pursue the sport further advancing from 5Ks to half marathons, and possibly even marathons! How healthy can you get? The benefits could mean losing weight, feeling more fit, and finding a new passion.

Supporting the Community – Each year, in conjunction with the race, HMRRC and CDPHP select one or more charities of choice, each of which receives a donation from CDPHP, as well as direct contributions from race participants. The 2023 charity of choice is Trinity Community Center, which is an open table for the people of Rotterdam and the Schenectady area, where neighbors of all backgrounds can gather safely and without judgement to support, learn and grow together. The “three legs” are food security, mental health and wellbeing, and arts, culture and self-expression. Funds raised via WTC will be used to fund the expansion of the Bread of Life Food Pantry and Produce Pantry programs, which served 30,000 meals to those in need from June through December 2022. Trinity also offers yoga, free movie and board game nights, crafting groups, and Zumba. To learn more, visit: messiahschenectady.org. 

Over the history of the race, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised to help charities that serve our community. The proceeds also help underwrite many of HMRRC’s activities and offerings, including college scholarships, grants, free races for club members, and their Just Run program, which encourages grade school children to run for exercise and fun.

Making it Fun – A creative part of the event is seeing the wild array of T-shirts that corporate, non-profit, and education teams create and wear during the challenge. HMRRC photographers will take photos of teams wearing their shirts and post them on the WTC website and club’s Pace Setter newsletter. Companies and organizations are encouraged to enter their designs into the T-shirt contest. It’s an opportunity to bond with your teammates to design your very own shirt. Visit the website for details. Judging takes place prior to race night, with prizes for most motivational, humorous, corporate, and best overall. The winning shirts line the post-race awards ceremony area at Empire State Plaza.

Registration – Each organization that participates requires a team captain, who is responsible for setting up their team in the portal. For employees to register, the captain must setup or update that team’s information. There’s also a virtual team option. The team captain spreads the word to colleagues to encourage them to participate. Results are scored based on four-person teams (all male, all female, coed). Individual awards will go to the top three male female overall; team awards will go to the top five female, male and coed teams; and team participation awards will go to the largest three teams in five categories.

Come run or walk on a wonderful spring evening through the City of Albany’s beautiful tree-lined streets. Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or cheer at the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge, you’ll be supporting a worthy cause that improves our community. Be sure to register your team before the May 1 deadline. If you’re not running or walking, volunteers are needed and welcome. For complete details, visit: cdphpwtc.com.

Spring Special – The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club is offering a free three-month trial club membership when you sign up for the 2023 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge! All registered participants can opt-in to receive a free three-month membership. Details to sign-up will be included in email confirmations upon race registration. 

According to club president, Ravi Chauhan, membership includes discounts on HMRRC races, 10 free club races (winter series, summer XC runs and more), Pace Setter newsletter, making connections and Running Buddies programs, and an opportunity to improve your physical and mental well-being. Current members can meet these new running partners. Getting involved encourages you and your coworkers to enjoy running and walking with a lineup of progressive races this spring, summer and fall. For more info, go to: hmrrc.com.

Ben Heller (benjaminrheller@gmail.com) is a local road racing enthusiast who lives in Troy, and enjoys racing distances from 5Ks to marathons. Christine Bishop (cbishop2ny@gmail.com) of Schenectady is a retired media specialist who loves running, photography and bird watching, and is editor of HMRRC’s Pace Setter.