CNY RPDB and SMTC Participate in Chase Corporate Challenge

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) teamed up to participate in the J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Corporate Challenge on Tuesday, June 22.  The 3.5 mile course was held at the beautiful and historic Onondaga Lake Park with a total of 6,790 participants from 259 companies.

This is the first year that the CNY RPDB and the SMTC entered a team in the race, and our t-shirt design was selected as one of two winning entries! We will donate the $1,000 award from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to the Food Bank of Central New York.

The energy and excitement of the event led to laughter and good spirits among the race participants, despite the sustained showers that resulted in a 72-minute rain delay. Event runners couldn’t have asked for a better ending as the sight of a faint rainbow and a beautiful sunset—accompanied by the sound of cheers and applause—welcomed them across the finish line.

Watch a video of the 2010 Chase Corporate Challenge.

Photos (click the photo for a larger view):

• Sam Gordon (CNY RPDB) turned the team’s t-shirt concept into a reality with his artistic and computer graphic skills.
• Team members seeking shelter under the tent before the start of the race.
  (Left to right: Samuel Gordon (with daughter Alia), David Kubek, Ahmed Ismail, David Bottar, Michael Alexander, James D'Agostino)
• The entire team of runners proudly displaying their winning t-shirt design before the race.
  (Left to right: Aaron McKeon, David Kubek, Michael Alexander, Ahmed Ismail, Elizabeth Hassett, Meghan Vitale)
• The back of the co-winning t-shirt, which proudly displays the CNY RPDB and SMTC logos.
•  Team members strategizing race maneuvers under the tent before the race. (Left to right: Elizabeth Hassett, Kevin Kosakowski, Ahmed Ismail, Michael Alexander, James D'Agostino, David Kubek)
• The team captain working to maintain morale and high spirits.
  (Left to right: Aaron McKeon, Michael Alexander)
• SMTC staff relaxing and having fun before the race.
  (Left to right: Elizabeth Hassett, Ahmed Ismail, Kevin Kosakowski)
• The rain won’t dampen our spirits.
  (Left to right: David Bottar, Samuel Gordon, Meghan Vitale, James D'Agostino, David Kubek)
• Team members pausing for a meal before the start of the race.
  (Left to right: Meghan Vitale, Samuel Gordon, James D'Agostino, Aaron McKeon, Ahmed Ismail, Michael Alexander)
• Team members realizing the race is still on and about to begin as they finish their sandwiches.
  (Left to right: Ahmed Ismail, Michael Alexander)