Route 20 Road Challenge Series 2015

2015 is the 16th annual season of the Route 20 Road Challenge Series. Each of the events listed is a community based run/walk event promoted by the Route 20 Association of New York State as Stewards of the Route 20 Scenic Byway. From 7 events in 2000 to to 32 events in 2014.

WIN BY PARTICIPATING! Complete just 4 events, win a $5 gift card to either Stewart's Shops or Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes. Complete 7 events and win a $10 gift card to Price Chopper Supermarkets. Complete 9 events and win a fleece vest with the 2015 Route 20 Road Challenge Series logo.

A downloadable printable 2015 Route 20 Road Challenge Series Schedule is will be available by clicking below.  If you have questions about any of the events listed, contact the Race Director listed with that race.

Click Here to Download The Road Challenge 2015 Schedule

 **If you are a Run/Walk event and would like to join the 2015 series, or if you have questions, contact either Craig North or Bill Kosina at their contact information below.

Road Challenge Series Coordinator:
Craig North
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
315-825-5691

Road Challenge Series Assistant Coordinator:
Bill Kosina
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
315-749-3286

Route 20 Association Contact:
Bill Kosina
(see above)

 

These amazing runners completed twelve or more Route 20 Challenge races last year:
Mark Ruane, Susan Will, Ralph Rathbun, Sarah Rathbun, Jessica Powers, Marylou Pustay, and Dick Benner.

Mark Ruane:
He has been running for 10 years, the last 5 years with the road challenge. Mark is running at 59 and still going strong. His most memorable race was his first half marathon. Mark did not think he could run that far, but he did. On and off road running is Mark’s favorite types of runs. He states that the Route 20 Road Challenge and the Utica Road Runners help to keep him motivated. He runs 20 races a year. Mark says that his favorite race is the Zone 10K. He would like to see more10K races on the Road Challenge.


Sarah Rathbun:
Sarah has been walking for 3 years and doing the Route 20 Challenge for the same amount of time. She has won two consecutive clothing awards and now has both the running pants and jacket to match. She likes to see everyone at the races and enjoys walking with a group. Her most memorable race was in Hamilton because she did very well that day. Sarah enjoys flat road races the best and road races themselves keep her motivated to do more! Her least favorite is Millers Mills because of the challenging hills. She enjoys the Route 20 Road Challenge as it is and would not change a thing. Her ultimate goal is to keep establishing friendships on the race series and looks forward to continued success maintaining as well as adding to her group of running and walking friends.


Ralph Rathbun:
Ralph has been running for about 4 years now and participating in the Road Challenge the entire time. He has also received the running pants and jacket. Ralph likes training and race days. Training sessions find him alone but he likes to run with others on race day. His most memorable race was his first Boilermaker! He ran the 5K and really got into the crowds and the music! Ralph likes road racing and X-Country but is not into the mud races. He runs for health and stays motivated by signing up for races. Overall, he likes how he feels after running! Millers Mills is his favorite Road Challenge race because of their homemade ice cream! Coming from the Millers Mills area he enjoys seeing the people (once a year) that he knows and has friendships with. He ends with this quote “running is the best”!!


MaryLou Pustay:
MaryLou has been running for about the last 5 years. She has received 4 clothing awards during that time. She would have made it 5 for 5 but foot surgery prevented that! The challenge of trying to complete as many races in the series is the driving force behind her motivation. Finishing the 15K Boilermaker was one of her most memorable moments! MaryLou prefers road races and likes the Zone Run the best, out of the Road Challenge Series. A suggestion that she has, and it is a very good one, is for more pictures of the runners that make up the Road Challenge on the website, facebook, etc!! Another great idea is for the Route 20 to have a blog site where runners and walkers could arrange for carpooling to the various races that make up the Route 20 Road Challenge. Great ideas MaryLou!!!

 

Jessica Powers:
Jessica has been running for 3 years. She started indoors at a gym and eventually transitioned outside when weather permitted. 2014 was the first year that she participated in the Road Challenge and felt a great deal of satisfaction and overall feeling of accomplishment when she earned the running pants! Jessica runs by herself, both in training and on race day. She feels that running after work is a great help in unwinding from the stress of the day. Race day keeps her motivated to do the best that she can and to work at improving her overall time as she likes the idea of a new P.R.! One of Jessica’s most memorable runs was Millers Mills. She had heard how hard the hills were there and even though she is not usually good on hills, her finishing time was around the time she obtains in other 5K’s! Jessica enjoys road races the most and is motivated by the fact that her hard work has allowed her to drop 40 pounds! Having her friends and family members continue to encourage her and that they feel that Jessica inspires them is also a great motivating factor! She feels great about her weight and runs to just stay in shape! Her favorite Road Challenge race was the Yellow Brick Road Run. Jessica usually runs 5K’s and this is an 8K, great challenge! It also has scenery changes from road to trails and back to road! Jessica likes the idea of having more races on the Series, more choices!

 

Susan Will:
Susan recalls walking for many years, after lunch at work, dinner, whenever she could fit it in. One day a friend signed her up for the 5 miler Heart Run. After that the Boilermaker was in her sights. She ran it for the next 12 years! In 2010 Sue’s running group signed up for Millers Mills and that was her introduction to the Route 20 Road Challenge Series! Besides enjoying the peace of mind she gets from running Sue enjoys socializing with other runners and catching up on training news. She considers each Boilermaker she ran in to be the most memorable as the crowds carry you the last two plus miles to the finish! From the first at age 47 to the last at age 60, Utica in July was and always will have a special place in her heart! Sue likes road races but is entertaining the idea of doing more off road races in the future. Sue says that getting the running legs going every year is hard but once moving it becomes easier. Her 5 favorite races on the Road Challenge are West Winfield (home town), Millers Mills (atmosphere, activities, and ice cream), the Mad Cow (how about that name?), and the Eaton Run (usually the last race of the season for her). Sue feels that 12 races is tough to complete and likes 10 better. She has earned the clothing award 4 times and feels that the Challenge is a lot of fun! Visiting villages along the way and staying in shape; what could be better?

 

Dick Benner:
Dick Started running in 2005. He initially started walking to lose weight saw an ad for the Chilly Chill in Cazenovia, deciding to give it a try. He then did the 5K Mountain Goat and started the same year in the Road Challenge. This makes the 11th year that Dick is at it! He trains alone but likes the socialization on race day! Cross country racing is not his thing so Dick stays on the roads, fortunately he has plenty of races to pick from! He remembers his first Mountain Goat and Boilermaker because he had to walk some in both but he did not come in last in either one! Dick’s family was behind him in this endeavor as well as his young “Doogie Howser” Cardiologist! “Mr. Howser” gave him great encouragement and wished that many of his other patients would do the same! Running and walking keeps Dick motivated because of the way it makes him feel, both physically and mentally. Dick enjoys cooking, baking, and eating, so without exercise he says that he would need a bigger house!! His favorite race is his signature race, the Madison COWnty 5K (MAD.CO.W). He and his friends started it by coming up with the idea over coffee one morning, after a run. That was 2009 and they are still amazed at its success today! Dick is happy to see the Road Challenge where it is today, considering that it offered only a handful of races back in 2001. He likes the prizes and the three tier system!

 

Craig North:
Craig has been running since 1996. His main objective was to get back in shape after 20 plus years of working on getting “out of shape”! In 1998, after running in a few races, Craig decided to give race directing a try. He started an inaugural event, the Eaton 5K. The proceeds has benefited many different causes but some of the funds always went back to the Eaton Fire Department. After 12 years of putting the race on Craig went one better and had it certified, as of 2010. In the year 2000, Craig had many a conversation with Bill Kwasienewski from the West Winfield Star as well as the Route 20 Association. Craig generated the idea of starting a Route 20 Road Challenge along the Route 20 corridor. Bill took it from there with 8 races scheduled in the first year! Fifteen years later the Route 20 Road Challenge is 22 race events strong. Since Bill stepped down a few years ago Craig has filled his shoes as the Route 20 Road Challenge Coordinator. Assisting in this endeavor had been John Sagendorf who helped to spread the word on the series as well as being in attendance at many of the races. When John retired Bill Kosina stepped in as the assistant race coordinator to help keep the road challenge going strong. Craig would like to thank Bill Kwasienewski and John Sagendorf for all their efforts in helping to make the challenge what it is today!

Craig favors running in cooler weather, especially in the fall. He thoroughly enjoys the beautiful Central New York fall colors and picturesque landscapes. Craig’s favorite Route 20 Challenge Race was The Maine Event 10K in Brookfield. It has not been held in many years but the course was beautiful and challenging with many hills! Craig ends his thoughts with a reminder that if anyone is interested in starting a race to please give Craig or Bill a call or an e-mail. They will be glad to assist you anyway they can!! Happy running everyone!!

 

Courtney Spatto:

Courtney began running in elementary school and became more competitive as the years progressed. Once she began college, running became a social outlet. She eventually completed in two Boilermakers and enjoyed the post- race parties. It has been 16 years since high school, she is now a mother, and works full time. She states that “running seemed like a good way for me to get rid of stress, to have free time for myself, and to hopefully be in better shape”.

She bought a house in the Waterville area and did not really know much about local activities. The Route 20 Road Challenge was foreign to her until the day she picked up a brochure at a local event and decided to try to do some of the races listed. She stated “I did a few my first year, and started to notice some familiar faces”. Then it seems like the next year the same familiar faces enjoyed each other's company more, which led to increased motivation to see each other at upcoming races. Courtney writes “It was a great method of accountability and peer motivation for me”. She now has been participating in the challenge for at least 4 years and has completed 2 challenges thus far.

“Some people run in their free time to prepare for the races”, Courtney writes, but she has not figured out a way to balance her life to do this. The races are her sole outlet for exercise, stress relief, and free time with other like-minded adults. She likes to run the race by herself as she finds it more relaxing and less pressure, but thoroughly enjoys the after race treats, awards, and talking about the races with her special group of race friends.

Courtney’s favorite types of races include ones with a variety of scenery. She enjoys the unique architecture on various houses, fall foliage, or wildlife along the route. Flat courses are always a bonus, but she finds that running downhill is where she tends to make up time and distance on the competition.

Courtney states “when you interact with the same people who are also invested in the Route 20 Challenge, health, and fun, it is easy to want to show up for more races and stay motivated.

One of her favorite races each year is the West Winfield CROP Run. “It feels so comfortable and familiar every time I run it”.

The Route 20 Challenge already offers great variety in location, landscape, and competition. If anything could be different, I would like to see more cross country, bi-athlons, or mud runs.

 

April 2015

APRIL 11th - Hamilton/Colgate University
Habitat for Humanity HomeRun 5k Run/Walk & Half-Marathon

Contact:
Rosie Regan, 914-787-9484, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website:
https://sites.google.com/a/colgate.edu/homerun/

April 11th, 2015
Richfield Springs
R.S. Community Center 10K/5K Run, 2 Mile Walk

Contact:
Bill Kosina, 315-749-3286, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015 Information and Application:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/04/05/2015-run-application/
http://www.richfieldzone.org

2015 Race Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/04/15/age-group-results-zone-run-2015-1/
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/04/15/rscc-2015-results-2015/

 

 

April 25,2015
Deansboro
Daniel Barden Highland Mudfest

honoring a student who lost his life at Sandy Hook, CT

 

Contact:

Dan Williams, 315-725-7934, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

May 2015

May 2nd 2015
Sharon Springs
Run 4 The Hills - 4 mile run/walk benefit

Contact:

Garth Roberts, 518-928-6998, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Results:
http://results.active.com/events/2nd-annual-run-4-the-hills/run-4-the-hills-2015-results

 

May 2nd 2015
Hamilton
USA Track & Field Sanctioned Run/Walk
Route 20 Challenge Series
2nd annual Fun Run at the Hamilton Municipal Airport
Trail Fun Run & Walk--$10

Website and online registration:
www.Chenangocanal.org

Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Diane van Slyke, Clay Skinne, and Harvey Kliman

Winners at the 2nd Annual Trail Fun Run at the Hamilton Municipal Airport are:

Children & Teen Category (to age 17):
Ben Parfitt # 147 --18:05
Lauren Laruffa # 137 – 21:43
Lucas Smith # 126 – 24:04

Women’s Category:
Lauren Laruffa #147 – 21:47 (this must have been timed with a different stop watch)
Kelsey Bush #130 – 22:00
Elizabeth Fish #149 – 22:40

Men’s Category:
Ben Parfitt # 147 – 18:05
Ken Belanger # 141 – 20:40
Eric Lindley # 131 – 21:54

5K Trail Fun Run A Success

Fifty runners and walkers turned out on a beautiful spring day at the Hamilton Municipal Airport on Saturday, May 2nd for a 5K Run/Walk that was a fundraiser for the Chenango Canal Association. This run was a sanctioned race with USA Track & Field.

Winners for medals in the Children/Teen category were Ben Parfitt, 1st place; Lauren Laruffa, 2nd place and Lucas Smith, 3rd place. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medal winners for the Women’s Category were Lauren Laruffa, Kelsey Bush and Elizabeth Fish. 1st, 2nd and 3rdplace winners for Men’s Category were Ben Parfitt, Ken Belanger and Eric Lindley. The first 50 registrants received a T Shirt, courtesy of Screen It and COVE of Colgate University. Walkers received a walker’s pin for completing the course and a $100 gift certificate to the Hamilton Eatery was awarded for the best outfits/costumes to Donna Wicks and family who walked with their dog.

The start was at Gate 7 on Airport Road going north on an abandoned railroad bed to Woodman Road and then onto the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail back towards the airport. The 5k run continued south on the west side of the airport along the newest part of the trail just completed by Randy Weaver’s crew from the Hamilton Department of Public Works. Lots of compliments came from the participants about the trail. It is beautifully scenic, passing by the Chenango Canal, Woodman Pond and Secret Lake and winding through a wooded area. The trail was recently revamped due to the new security fence installed around the runway. More improvements on the trail will come as the crew gets time. Some people came from Rome, West Winfield and Waterville to see the new trail which is a real asset for the village.

Many thanks for this event are due to the Village of Hamilton, Hamilton DPW, The Hamilton Airport Commission, Mayor Margaret Miller for officiating the race, Craig North of the Rt. 20 Challenge, and sponsors Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group (Motts brand), Screen-It, The Trophy Guy from Norwich, Damian’s Auto, Den Kelley Chevrolet, the Hamilton Eatery and the Community Outreach Volunteerism and Education (COVE) from Colgate University.

Local businesses contributed door prizes or supplies that helped make this race fun including Kinney Drugs, Hamilton Whole Foods, Good Nature Brewing, Oliveri’s Pizza, and Tractor Supply Corporation. Many thanks to the Madison Fire Department for bringing an emergency vehicle to have on hand.

 

May 3rd 2015- Cobleskill 1:30 pm
Aggie Scott CROP Walk

2015 Schoharie County Aggie Scott Memorial CROP Walk will start at 1:30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Cobleskill on Sunday, May 3.

Contact:
John Jarvis, 518-234-2933, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


May 16th 2015
West Winfield
Crop 5K Run, 1 Mile Walk

Contact:
MaryLou Pustay, 315-822-5237, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration form:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/05/07/westwinfieldreg/

 

 

 

 

June 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JUNE 7TH 2015
Cooperstown
13th Annual Cooperstown Girls on the Run 5K

Clark Sports Center at 12:00

Contact:
Sally Trosset, 607- 437-1985, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

June 27th 2015
Chittenango
Yellow Brick Road 8k Run & 5k Walk

Contact:
Steve Waite, 315-687-7114, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015 Entry Form:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/03/15/yellow-entry-form/

2014 Race Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2014/07/08/2014-overall-results/
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2014/07/08/2014-sorted-resultsx/

2015 Race Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/03/ybrr-2015-results/
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/03/chittenango-high-school-hy/

 

 

 

 

 

July 2015

July 18th 2015
Morrisville
5th Annual 5K Race for ChildRUN & 1 Mile Fun Run

Contact:
Jennifer Britton, 315-684-6400, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2014 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2014/08/05/2014-children-s-center-childrun-final/

 
 
July 19th 2015
Millers Mills
Millers Mills 5K Sundae Run

2 Mile Fun Walk and Ice Cream Social

Registration form:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/05/21/miller-21st-annual-race-application-2015/

Contact:
Megan King-Ratcliffe, 315-292-4144

2015 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/08/04/millersmills-2015-results/

 

 

August 2015

August 1st 2015
Nelson
MADison COWnty 5K Run/Walk

Contact:
Dick Benner, 315-655-8591, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2014 results:
http://www.train2run15k.com/KTTiming/KTindex.html

 
August 8th 2015
Deansboro
Allen Memorial 4 Mile Run and Fun Walk

Contact:
Janet Dangler, 315-841-4707, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEW for 2015: Youth Run!

2014 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2014/08/16/results2014-01-1/

2015 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/08/12/2015-deansboro-overall-results-rev/

2015 Results by Age group:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/08/12/2015-age-group-deanboro-results-rev/

 

August 8th 2015
Esperance
Landis Arboretum 5K Forest Run/Walk

Contact:
David Roy, 315-427-3856, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015 Information:
Click here for more information

2015 Results overall:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/08/11/2015-landis-overallresults/

2015 Results by Age:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/08/11/2015-landis-resultsbyagedivision/

AUGUST 15TH - MANLIUS - NEW DATE!
LITTLE MOE 5K WALK/RUN

Skanda is happy to announce that the Little Moe 5K Walk/Run has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15th, at Green Lakes State Park. The start time is 8:30am, with registration open at 7:30am. (Park entrance is free until 9am.) Professional timing service provided by Auyer RaceTiming. Thank you for all your encouragement and support during the reschedule.

Our mailing address is:
Skanda Equine
4000 Mosley Rd
Cazenovia, NY 13035

As you know, this is a fundraiser to support the incredible work the CNY SPCA does with horse rescue.

We are so grateful for your participation in the past, and we hope you will join us again this year. Please spread the word to family, friends, horse and all animal lovers, as we would like this event to be bigger and better than ever.


Here are the basics:

Register at:
www.active.com and www.lightboxreg.com

Or find registration forms at www.skandaequine.com and www.cnyspca.org

About Little Moe:
Little Moe was a beautiful, brave wild pony, only one year old, who was rescued along with 13 others by the CNY SPCA. The ponies came to Skanda Equine to recover. Little Moe was sweet and brave, and although he lived only for one week after the rescue, he showed a brave heart and loving spirit that touched all who met him. Skanda has organized the Little Moe 5K to celebrate Little Moe and all rescue horses, and to raise awareness and funds to support the CNY SPCA's important work helping Central New York 's most vulnerable horses.

Donation checks can be written to "CNY SPCA"
and mailed to Skanda Equine, 4000 Mosley Road , Cazenovia , New York 13035

Please feel free to contact me any time with questions or ideas for how to build this event and raise as much as we can to support the CNY SPCA continuing its horse rescue efforts.

Contact:
Ellen Beckerman, 315-882-5490, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

View Website Here

Registration form here:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/05/21/registration-form-little-mo/

 

September 2015


9/13/15 (Sunday) - Richfield Springs
Falling Footsteps Cross Country (mini-mudder)
5K Run, 1 Mile Walk

Contact:
Bill Kosina, 315-749-3286, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Application:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/18/falling-footsteps-application/

2014 Race Results:
Clck here for race results

2015 Race Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/09/29/falling-footsteps-2015-list/
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/09/29/falling-footsteps-2015-results/

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9/20/15
Fabius
CNY Bread Run

We are about a month away from our 7th annual Bread Run. Sunday, September 20, 2015. Check out our website: www.BreadRunatFabiusNY.org and then join us for a day in the beautiful hills and valleys of southern Onondaga County! We have been told that we are one of the best organized races in the area. Our registrations are well ahead of last year, especially the 1/2 Marathon, but also check out our new 5K course for it, too, is a wonderful scenic route around the valleys of Fabius. Roads are closed for the safety of the runners. Hundreds of volunteers there to meet your every need.

And, age group winners in the 1/2 Marathon are awarded loaves of bread! 5K age group winners get muffins! All made by our amazing local baker.

Contact:
Larry Carr, 243-9144, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Race website: www.BreadRunatFabiusNY.org

2015 Results:
http://cnybreadrun.org/results2015/

 

September 19th 2015
Waterville
Mary Cleary Memorial 5K Run/Walk

Contact:
Steve or Karen Cleary for Registration Information
315-841-3350, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Connie or Dave Bocko for All Other Information
315-841-8393, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015 results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/09/22/craig-north-doc/

 

 
 
 
Saturday, September 26. 2015
Morrisville
Madison Hall 5K Run/Walk

Contact:
Kelly Gardner, 315-684-6363, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

October 2015

Oct 11th
Sherburne
3rd Annual Couch to 5K Fun Run/Walk

Application:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/21/couch5k-3rd-annual-2015/

Contact:
Jeff Beaver, 607-674-9264, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/10/20/2015-results/

 

 
Oct 17, 2015- Eaton
Eaton 5K Run/Walk

Winners are Kyle Brier- 20:57 and Kristen Fuller- 23:09.

Contact:
Craig North, 315-825-5691, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Flyer:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/22/2015-flyer-final-rev1/

Flyer 2:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/07/22/2015-eaton-5k-flyer-final-rev-2/ 

2015 Results:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/10/22/5k-2015-2015-5k-runwalk-results/

 

 

November

Cherry Valley Nov 7th. - Race is at noon on November 7th at the Cherry Valley Community Center (old school)

Registration:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2015/10/24/race-form-7/