The 5th Annual New Paltz Challenge Father's Day Half Marathon and 5K was held this past Sunday, June 15th. A record number of runners started and finished the races. Congratulations to the winners of the events and the participants. You are all winners for coming out and doing this. We hope to see you all next year.

Thank you to the volunteers. Without your participation we are not able to put on an event such as this. You all helped keep things smooth and safe for the runners, spectators, and families who came out on Father's Day! Thanks to the Fathers who allowed their children to spend time helping us with this event, including my own. You all contributed to the success of this event.

The Challenge Run Committee put in countless hours working on this event. We started meeting in the dead of winter and, well, there is a meeting next week to recap the 2014 Challenge. Special thanks to David Ness, the Committee Chair, for working to take this event to the next level. Thanks to Kay Hoiby and Barry Henck for getting on those bikes and riding out there ahead of the runners. Thanks to those who used their own cars, trucks, bikes and feet to get the job done. There are too many to name you all, but you all did awesome work.

Our sponsors came up big on this one and there is no way for us to express our full gratitude to you. Generous donations, gifts, sponsorships and assistance was what you all gave us. Thank you. Special thanks to the Gilded Otter for allowing us the parking lot, water and electric. Thank you to Rock and Snow for your early commitment to be a premier sponsor and donating generous prizes. To see a full list of sponsors, please visit newpaltzchallenge.com.

Thank you to the Chamber Staff and Committee Members who staffed Saturday Registration and came to the event. I know the amount of time and effort that you spent working on this. You all stepped up and made it happen. Great work under sometimes demanding circumstances.

The New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing excellence in all programs that we sponsor. From the Business Showcase, the Challenge Run, Golf Outing, and the Taste of New Paltz, we seek to always put forth a great product. I saw countless New Paltz Challenge participants and their families in the Village and all along Main Street yesterday patronizing the restaurants and businesses in our town. I saw our shirts from the event everywhere, red and bright green ones, out there enjoying the perfect day and all New Paltz has to offer.  

You may ask why we put on this event (and we might ask that ourselves at a 7:00 am committee meeting in January). That is the answer right there - it's good for the participants, it's good for the community, and it is good for business here in New Paltz!

Make it a great day!

Thank You! 

Special Notes