CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge: New security measures have been put in place for 34th annual race

PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike MacAdam

Another field of over 9,000 is expected for the 34th annual CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge at the Empire State Plaza this evening.

The race begins at 6:25 and covers a 3.5-mile loop that begins and ends at the entrance to the State Museum on Madison Avenue.

The defending winners are Kevin Treadway of Albany and Anne Benson of Clifton Park.

In the wake of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, there will be more stringest security measures at the Workforce Team Challenge, which not only draws a big field, but also thousands of spectators to the plaza.

The Albany Police Department and other law enforcement agencies will no longer allow backpacks and coolers to the venue.

Items brought on-site must be transported in clear plastic bags.

Pets will not be allowed in the area, and participants, spectators and volunteers are required to bring photo ID.

The Albany Police Department is asking race participants, spectators and residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call 300-0570.

Treadway, a former star at Colonie High, won the men’s race last year in 17:17, pulling away from Macky Lloyd and Chuck Terry in the latter stages of the race.

Lloyd checked in at 17:27, and Terry, who won the Workforce Team Challenge four times in the span from 2007 to 2011, was third in 17:45.

Benson won the women’s race in 20:58.

There has been a different women’s champion every year for the last six years.

Emily Bryans of Schenectady won it six years in a row, from 2000 to 2005.

Treadway led Albany Medical Center to the co-ed team title last year.

ARE Event Productions won the men’s team championship, and St. Peter’s Hospital was the women’s champion.

One runner who has been having a good spring is Alex Paley of FleetFeet Sports.

He was ninth in the Workforce Team Challenge last year, and was barely edged by his friend, Treadway, at the Troy Turkey Trot, but has some victories in recent months.

Paley was first in the Delmar Dash Five Miler on April 14, with a time of 25:22, and also won the four-mile Runnin’ of the Green in 19:59.1 on March 16.