CDPHP WTC 2021: Hot Event in Altamont

by Christine Bishop

On sundrenched Altamont Fairgrounds, competitors from 116 corporate teams in the Greater Albany area battled for dominance in the 41^st CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge on August 26, seemingly unphased by high temperatures and equally high humidity. The runners celebrated being able to run this event again after having to wait almost two years due to the pandemic. To be more inclusive, the race was also held virtually.

The race on the field was incredible. It felt like being an extra in the film, “Lawrence of Arabia,” but astonishingly the top winners for the males and females finished the 3.5 miles in amazing times. Charles Ragone, 23, from Regeneron, came in 1^st-17:51; followed by Ryan Udvadia, 25 (who came in first in 2019), Latham Pools-18:05; and John Capobianco, 23, CDM Smith-18:26. For the females: Catherine Meyer, 30, Albany Medical Center, 21:45; Kristie Pageau, 31 Regeneron-22:14; Michelle Merlis, 32, NY Independent System Operator-22:43. Great. Job!

The race faced many obstacles. The May date for 2021 was ruled out because of Covid prevalence and the venue had to be changed from downtown Albany to a less populated area. The race formats had to be altered. All groups were set out in waves starting with elite males. Waterstops were pandemic style with water refill areas for personal water bottles and cups instead of tables lined with cups of water. Bottled water was given at the end. Refreshments were limited and runners were urged to leave as soon as they were refreshed. But these changes did not dampen the attitude as runners were thrilled to once again be able to compete with their corporate colleagues.

For the 12^th year, CDPHP was the major sponsor of the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. Premium corporate sponsors this year were the Albany Medical Center, Hannaford, Regeneron, and Trustco Bank. For the 6^th year in a row, B95.5 was the media sponsor! All-U once again did great work on the race and volunteer T-shirts. A special shoutout goes to Albany Medical College for operating the medical tent and to the Guilderland EMS for providing emergency services. Lastly, we thank the Towns of Altamont and Guilderland, and the Altamont Fairgrounds for supporting the event.

Since its inception, the HMRRC has been proud to oversee the event. The proceeds help to 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. In addition, the event has been turned into a major fundraiser for worthy charities in our area. This year the charities of choice were IPH, The RED Bookshelf, and the Ronald McDonald House. The HMRRC along with corporations and individuals have contributed to these worthy endeavors and over the years hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised specifically by this event.

Albany Medical College Team Members

Winners of the Largest Participation Awards

Education
Siena College – 31
SUNY System Administration – 28

Government
Taxation & Finance – 54
Health Department – 54

Not-for-Profit
Albany Medical Center – 135
CDPHP – 128

Private Corporation
Community Care Physicians PC – 40
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte – 27

Public Corporation
Regeneron – 131
Trustco Bank – 75

Top Team Results

Male Female Coed
1. Regeneron M-A. Regeneron F-A General Electric- C-A
2. Naval Nuclear Lab M-A. Columbia PTF-A Albany Medical Center-C-A

Click here for complete results

T-SHIRT CONTEST WINNERS

Each year, the T-shirt contest is always very popular.
The top 2 winners in each category are…

Best All Around:
First Place: Hyman Hayes Associates
Second Place: Superior Controls

Most Corporate:
First Place: New York Independent Systems Operator
Second Place: NYS ITS

Most Humorous:
First Place: New York State Dental Association
Second Place: CHA Consulting, Inc.

Most Motivational:
First Place: Community Care Physicians
Second Place: Regeneron

Top 25:

PLACE	BIB	NAME	AGE	SEX	CITY	STATE	SEX PLACE	NET TIME	NET PACE	TEAM
1	1021	Charles Ragone	23	M	Albany	NY	1	17:51	5:06	Regeneron
2	646	Ryan Udvadia	25	M	Ballston Spa	NY	2	18:05	5:10	Latham, The Pool Company
3	306	John Capobianco	23	M	Troy	NY	3	18:26	5:16	CDM Smith
4	1089	Keith Machabee	24	M	Delmar	NY	4	18:42	5:21	Schoharie Central School
5	879	Jonathan Lindenauer	33	M	Ballston Lake	NY	5	18:50	5:23	PERMA
6	1058	Austin Turner	24	M	Troy	NY	6	19:37	5:37	SABIC
7	611	Jake Stookey	45	M	Clifton Park	NY	7	19:51	5:41	Kitware
8	496	Aaron Knobloch	45	M	Schenectady	NY	8	20:12	5:47	General Electric
9	159	Jacob Kobrin	25	M	Albany	NY	9	20:16	5:48	Albany Medical Center
10	730	Scott Roman	29	M	Pittsburgh	PA	10	20:36	5:53	Naval Nuclear Laboratory
11	497	Jonathan Louden	37	M	Clifton Park	NY	11	20:40	5:55	General Electric
12	1059	Matt Becker	36	M	South Glens Falls	NY	12	20:48	5:57	Saratoga National Bank
13	968	Alex Gilgore	28	M	Scotia	NY	13	20:51	5:58	Regeneron
14	974	David Harwood	35	M	Colonie	NY	14	21:07	6:02	Regeneron
15	336	Daniel Napora	23	M	Albany	NY	15	21:11	6:04	CHA Consulting, Inc.
16	988	Jon Krell	30	M	Castleton	NY	16	21:12	6:04	Regeneron
17	504	Oswaldo Rodriguez	43	M	Saratoga Springs	NY	17	21:18	6:06	General Electric
18	719	Andrew Berger	24	M	Troy	NY	18	21:32	6:09	Naval Nuclear Laboratory
19	1413	Catherine Meyer	30	F	Albany	NY	1	21:45	6:13	Albany Medical Center
20	579	Cie-Nichola Watson	28	M	Albany	NY	19	21:52	6:15	Indigent Legal Services (ILS)
21	902	Stephan Moessner	32	M	Niskayuna	NY	20	21:55	6:16	Plug Power Inc.
22	1043	Devon Sedgwick	30	M	Latham	NY	21	22:00	6:17	Rehabilitation Support Services Inc.
23	1042	Matt Crave	44	M	Schenectady	NY	22	22:01	6:18	Rehabilitation Support Services Inc.
24	1183	Jack Lyons	27	M	Latham	NY	23	22:07	6:20	SUNY System Administration
25	1227	Ben Heller	32	M	Troy	NY	24	22:11	6:21	Taxation & Finance