After launching this spring, the Canalway Challenge initiative is already racking up big miles. Since May, people from 24 US states, Puerto Rico, and Canada have pledged to walk, run, cycle, and paddle 300,000 miles along New York’s canals and Canalway Trail.
The challenge invites people to trace history while tracking miles on the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail to discover all they can do along New York’s canals.
“300,000 miles is the distance you’d travel if you drove from New York City to Los Angeles 107 times, or rocketed to the moon and halfway back,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “All those miles translate into improved health, increased canal tourism, and lots of fun.”
A total of 591 individuals, 229 family/groups, 29 organizations, and 600 Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour participants have set their sights on completing a personal mileage goal along the canal this year.
The free program includes a range of mileage options – 15 miles, 90 miles, 180 miles, and 360 miles – so that people at all fitness levels can choose a mileage goal that suits their ability and participate.
Brian U. Stratton, Director of the NYS Canal Corporation said, “The Erie Canalway Challenge has been a runaway success in getting more people to experience the history, heritage and many attractions in the canal corridor. We expect they’ll come back and hopefully bring friends and family with them to find out just how much there is to see and do.”
It’s not too late to sign up. Late summer and fall are excellent times to be on the water and trail, with cooler temperatures and changing colors. Sign up at www.canalwaychallenge.org.
A dedicated Canalway Challenge Facebook group and Instagram hashtag enable participants to share where they have been, where they are headed, and what they have discovered along the way.
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