Workforce Team Challenge
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026
Albany, NY
Thank-you to all the participants and volunteers for a successful 2024 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. We were excited to have over 8,300 registered participants. Collectively, you donated nearly $20,000 to the 2024 Charities of Choice: Wizard's Wardrobe and Reeling for Recovery. We look forward to another exciting CDPHP WTC in 2025.
Join us on Thursday, May 21, 2026!
Registration is now open. Scroll down for details and to sign-up!
Welcome to the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge! This is the largest running event in the Capital District of New York, and is organized by, and serves as the major fundraiser for, the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC).
Team Captains were emailed in January to activate their teams for 2026. If you are a Team Captain, and did not receive the email, please send an email to info@zippyreg.com.
The proceeds help underwrite many of HMRRC’s activities and offerings, including college scholarships, grants, free races for members, and the Just Run® Program, which encourages grade school children to run for exercise and fun.
CDPHP is now in its 17th year as the primary sponsor of this event.
Registration is tentatively scheduled to open on February 23rd.
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.
Donate to the Charities of Choice
Crossroads Center for Children
Crossroads Center for Children is a nonprofit organization serving children with and without developmental disabilities, with a primary focus on children with autism. Funds raised through the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge will support the development of a secure nature trail and the installation of perimeter fencing at Crossroads Center for Children, expanding safe, therapeutic outdoor learning opportunities for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This project will transform an underutilized wooded area and pond into a structured extension of the classroom through trail stabilization, drainage improvements, and enhanced safety measures. While our new facility has expanded indoor programming, this initiative represents a significant investment in outdoor learning – providing students with safe access to nature-based experiences that promote physical activity, emotional regulation, and hands-on discovery.
Catholic Charities Tri-County Services
Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, supports individuals and families across Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties. They serve people of all backgrounds, with a special focus on those who are economically vulnerable from birth to older adults. Catholic Charities Tri-County Services has consistently responded to year-over-year increases in demand for food and nutrition services. Funding from the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge will directly support efforts to meet this steadily growing community need. New initiatives currently in development – including a mobile pantry, expanded home-delivered meals, and enhanced nutrition counseling services – are designed to address these challenges. With this support, these initiatives can be strengthened, expanded, and brought to more neighbors in need.
OVERVIEW
Will be fully updated for 2025 by mid-winter.
Date
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time
6:25PM
Location
Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
Course
Course Map
A 3.5 Mile loop around Washington Park.
Registration
$35: In-Person Participants
$35: Virtual Participants | Details
Note: Teams have the option to subsidize a portion (or all) of the entry fee. Reach out to your team captain to find out if your team is doing so.
RegisterChanging Your Participation Type
Switch* from In-Person To Virtual
*Must be completed by May 11, 2026
(this must be done so we can hand out the t-shirts for virtual participants to the team captains at packet pick-up).
- Go to your Registrant Portal (linked in your Confirmation Email)
- Click on the green 'Change Your Registration Selection' button
- Choose the Virtual Option
- Be sure to hit the APPLY button to complete the change.
Virtual Participation Option
Participants have the option to participate virtually. Participating virtually means that you will complete the 3.5 Mile run/walk on your own (ie. not at the in-person event).
You are welcome to do it anywhere you like that is not at the event, including on a treadmill.
- You must (first) register for the IN-PERSON event.
- For those who cannot attend in person, you can then switch to the virtual event via your Registrant Portal (linked in your Confirmation Email.)
- You have from (DATES MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY) the Saturday prior to the in-person event through the Saturday after the in-person event to complete your 3.5 Miles. (This is not a 5K [3.1M])
- It is recommended that you use some type of distance measuring device (ie. GPS watch/GPS Phone App like Strava), to ensure you cover the distance. (These devices are not perfect, but are sufficient if you don't otherwise have access to a certified 3.5M route.)
- Once you complete the distance, you are to submit your results via your Registrant Portal (linked in your Confirmation Email).
- Virtual participants are not included in the team scoring.
TRAINING PROGRAM
Open to anyone (including those not registered for the race), this program offers a 10 week training plan designed to get you in your best shape this spring! See the graphic above for complete details and register for it below.
AWARDS
- Individual awards will go to the top three individual males and females overall.
- Team awards will go to the top five four-person female, male and coed teams.
- Team participation awards will go to the largest three teams in five categories.
- T-shirt awards will go to the top three organizations with the best t-shirts in four categories.
- Individual and team awards will be mailed to the winners post-race. Team participation and T-shirt awards will be distributed with team packets.
CONTACT US
Need assistance?
- General Race Information – info.cdphpwtc@hmrrc.com
- Registration Information – info@zippyreg.com
- Corporate Sponsorship Information – Michael.Asterino@onedigital.com
Team Captains
Each company that participates requires a team captain. The team captain is the individual responsible for setting up your team at the Team Management Portal (TMP).
For employees of a particular company to register for this year's event, the team captain must update that team's information via the TMP linked above.
TIPS FOR THE TEAM CAPTAIN
Who is my Team Captain?
If your company has a Human Resources Department, we suggest reaching out to them for more information.
I am the Team Captain. How can I spread the word?
If you are the Team Captain, we recommend that you email your colleagues and encourage them to participate.
We also encourage you to download this flyer and to place it in any breakrooms and other well-traffic spaces at your place of work.
My team doesn't appear on the list. How do I add it?
If you are certain that your team (company) doesn't appear on the list (ie. has not previously participated), you can add it
here. The individual adding it should be whomever
will assume the Team Captain responsibility; if you are interested in participating and do not see your team but not otherwise authorized
to make decisions on behalf of your company, please have your HR Manager/CEO, etc. assign someone to do this.
T-Shirt Contest
Please refer here.
Team Scoring
At 8PM on race night, the Team Management Portal will be updated to show the results for your teammates.
You will have until *TBD* (generally 24-48 hours) to create 4 person teams (All Male, All Female, Coed [2 max from any particular gender]).
Teams for scoring are only comprised of IN-PERSON participants. (Virtual participants are not eligible to be scored as part of the 4 person teams that are scored.)
Team Category Results
Results from the Team Competition will be shared the week after the event.
TEAM Captain Assistance
Please refer to the CONTACT US section.