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The Yankee Express

Celebrating 20 years of success at the Unibank Greenway Challenge

WHITINSVILLE – The 20th anniversary UniBank Greenway Challenge was held on a beautiful fall day on Saturday, September 25. The race featured fun, exciting and challenging running, biking and paddling segments that took athletes from Lincoln Woods State Park, Rhode Island up through the Blackstone Valley with transition sites in Douglas State Forest & Riverbend Farms to the finish line at the Whitin Community Center’s Whitin Park, in Whitinsville, over 50 miles later. This year’s adventure race included street running, trail running, paddling, street bike, and mountain bike segments, 8 unique segments in total, that was designed and crafted to bring our athletes through one of the most beautiful and historic regions of New England, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Almost 150 athletes across 36 teams were charged with competition as they participated in this milestone “Adventure Race Like No Other.” 
Thank you to the following incredible Sponsors for supporting this year’s epic race including, UniBank, Koopman Lumber & Hardware, Osterman Propane, New England Disposal Technology, Inc., Ski With Charlie, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, New England Mountain Bike Association, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Rhode Island Department of Environment Management. We would also like to take the time to thank the over 100 amazing volunteers who helped make this event possible!  
We would like to honor and congratulate everyone who competed in our 20th Anniversary event, and acknowledge the winners of each race division:
Ironman:  Trent Koopman, Bib #12, Time 4:33:47
2-4 Male Team:  WCC Blood, Sweat & Gears, Bib #1, Time 4:42:40
2-4 Female Team:  NHL Mettle, Bib #22, Time 5:20:25
2-4 Co-Ed Team:  The Three Beasts, Bib #6, Time 5:19:42
5-8 Male Team:  Gang Green,  Bib #27, Time 5:06:47
5-8 Co-Ed Team:  The Usual Suspects, Bib #12, Time 4:33:06 – First team across the Finish Line, finishing 1st Place overall
Corporate:  Crimson Aquatics, Bib #36, Time 6:27:01
A program of the Whitin Community Center, presented by UniBank and supported by other partner organizations, the Greenway Challenge supports the development of new programs, purchase of additional equipment, and facility renovations for the members and guests of the Whitin Community Center (WCC). The WCC is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals and families and to building a strong community in the Blackstone Valley.
The Whitin Community Center offers social, recreational, educational, and outreach programs that bring community members of all ages and backgrounds together. The Whitin Community Center is the Blackstone Valley’s most complete family and recreation center with two swimming pools, a gym, fitness center, early learning programs, summer camps and a seven-and-a-half acre park.  For more information call 508.234.8184 or visit www.WhitinCommunityCenter.com.
Sarah Lawson