(April 2011) The Route 20 Road Challenge Series begins its 11th season Saturday, April 9, with two races — the Stockbridge Valley Hot Foot 5k Run/Walk and the Hamilton/ Colgate University Habitat for Humanity HomeRun 5k Run/Walk and Half Marathon. Another 15 promoted races will take place through October from Chittenango and Nelson to Esperance.

Under new leadership in 2011 and with at least one new race, the Road Challenge Series begins its second decade. Started as an event series in 2000 under the leadership of Bill Kwasniewski of West Winfield as a way to promote Route 20, the series has grown from the original seven races to today’s 17.

The Route 20 Road Challenge Series is a promotional initiative of the Route 20 Association of New York State. The not-for-profit association serves as the steward of the Route 20 Scenic Byway, 108 miles of US Route 20 from LaFayette (Onondaga County) in the west to Duanesburg (Schenectady County) in the east.

“I am really pleased the series has grown so much, but now it’s bigger than I am able to coordinate adequately,” Kwasniewski said. “So, it is time to turn over the reins. I still want to be involved but it needs a new overall coordinator.”

Assuming the responsibilities as Road Challenge Series coordinator is Craig North of Eaton.

“Craig has been involved from the very beginning,” Kwasniewski said. “He knows the races, the communities, the race directors and – as an avid runner – he participates in almost every race. He is the perfect person for the job, and I am glad Craig is willing.”

“Bill and the Route 20 Association have done a great job with the series over the past 10 years, and I hope I can help the Series continue to grow,” North said. “A combined total of more than 3,000 people participate in these run/’walk events annually, each one of which is done as a fun event to benefit a charitable cause. We promote the series with flyers handed out at each individual race, and the Route 20 Association promotes the series with a special section of its website, nyroute20.com. The website provides race dates and locations, race director contact information and race registration forms.”

For those who participate in a specific number of races each year, the Route 20 Association provides a gift of outerwear embroidered with the Road Challenge Series logo. This year’s gift for those who participate in eight of the 17 races will be embroidered, black cotton sweatpants.

Those interested in participating in various races should visit the website for details. Races interested in being added for the 2011 Road Challenge Series should contact the Route 20 Association via e-mail at info@nyroute20.com or by phone at (518) 817-3770.

(April 2011) The Route 20 Road Challenge Series begins its 11th season Saturday, April 9, with two races — the Stockbridge Valley Hot Foot 5k Run/Walk and the Hamilton/ Colgate University Habitat for Humanity HomeRun 5k Run/Walk and Half Marathon. Another 15 promoted races will take place through October from Chittenango and Nelson to Esperance.

Under new leadership in 2011 and with at least one new race, the Road Challenge Series begins its second decade. Started as an event series in 2000 under the leadership of Bill Kwasniewski of West Winfield as a way to promote Route 20, the series has grown from the original seven races to today’s 17.

The Route 20 Road Challenge Series is a promotional initiative of the Route 20 Association of New York State. The not-for-profit association serves as the steward of the Route 20 Scenic Byway, 108 miles of US Route 20 from LaFayette (Onondaga County) in the west to Duanesburg (Schenectady County) in the east.

“I am really pleased the series has grown so much, but now it’s bigger than I am able to coordinate adequately,” Kwasniewski said. “So, it is time to turn over the reins. I still want to be involved but it needs a new overall coordinator.”

Assuming the responsibilities as Road Challenge Series coordinator is Craig North of Eaton.

“Craig has been involved from the very beginning,” Kwasniewski said. “He knows the races, the communities, the race directors and – as an avid runner – he participates in almost every race. He is the perfect person for the job, and I am glad Craig is willing.”

“Bill and the Route 20 Association have done a great job with the series over the past 10 years, and I hope I can help the Series continue to grow,” North said. “A combined total of more than 3,000 people participate in these run/’walk events annually, each one of which is done as a fun event to benefit a charitable cause. We promote the series with flyers handed out at each individual race, and the Route 20 Association promotes the series with a special section of its website, nyroute20.com. The website provides race dates and locations, race director contact information and race registration forms.”

For those who participate in a specific number of races each year, the Route 20 Association provides a gift of outerwear embroidered with the Road Challenge Series logo. This year’s gift for those who participate in eight of the 17 races will be embroidered, black cotton sweatpants.

Those interested in participating in various races should visit the website for details. Races interested in being added for the 2011 Road Challenge Series should contact the Route 20 Association via e-mail at info@nyroute20.com or by phone at (518) 817-3770.