WINNERS OF THE GREENWAY CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED

WOONSOCKET, RI – Nearly 500 individuals and 91 teams competed in glorious fall weather last Saturday, September 27, for the 14th annual Greenway Challenge. The premier bi-state, 60-mile adventure race offered seven divisions of competition. The event was presented by Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. The Greenway Challenge course consisted of alternating segments of street biking, river paddling, mountain biking and running.

The Finish Line and Awards Ceremony was held at Spring Lake Beach Facility in Glendale, RI. In the Championship Division, Team AD HOC from Uxbridge, MA won by finishing the course in 4:25:49. Hailing from Whitinsville, MA, the Fairlawn Masters Team took the Master Division with a time of 5:13:49. The Corporate Cup Division went to BR+A Ludicrous Speed of Watertown, MA, with a total course time of 4:58:57. In the All Women’s Division, the MRA Tria Warriors Team from Sutton, MA, won in 5:42:07. Completing the Greenway Challenge in the Recreational Division, Team VSSO from Worcester, MA, with a time of 5:23:42 was the winner out of 35 teams competing in that division.

Individuals also took on the Greenway Challenge, competing on the difficult course in two divisions: Ironmen and Ironwomen. This year’s female champion was Laura Zimmer from Westborough, MA, with a finish time of 6:15:57. Trent Koopman from Whitinsville, MA, won the men’s division with a time of 5:05:09.

Title Sponsor for the Greenway Challenge was Unibank, whose consistent support over many years has enabled the adventure race to grow. Additional River Champion Sponsors included Taco/The White Family Foundation, WXLO 104.5 FM, WORC 98.9 FM, and the Pike 100 FM.

The Grafton Lion’s Club was named the 2014 Charitable Recipient of the Greenway Challenge. The club received a donation to help with its work to educate children through its ongoing programs and the improvement of recreational access. Members of the club assisted with logistics and hosted a transition site for the race.

“This was one of the biggest Greenway Challenges to date,” commented Barbara Dixon, special event coordinator for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. “We really appreciate all the hard work and long hours donated by the Steering and Logistics Committee, as well as the contributions of all the event sponsors and partners. We’re already working on next year’s event.”

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a unique cultural landscape of industrial history and immigration in the interconnected system of the Blackstone River watershed. An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. partners with organizations, local communities and businesses, and residents to insure the long term vitality of the Corridor.

The photo depicts the winning team for the Championship Division. Pictured left to right are members of Team AD HOC: Ernie Lozeau (Douglas, MA), Roland LaValle (Woonsocket, RI), Fabio Fuchian (Brookline, MA), and captain Ben Chokshi-Fox (Whitinsville, MA). Photo credit: Deb Uscilka.

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