The Erie Canalway Challenge has people of all ages and abilities out running, walking, cycling and paddling the 524-mile New York State Canal System. Everyone's welcome to join the free challenge.

It's a fun way to discover all you can do on, or along the historic Erie Canal which will celebrate its bicentennial in 2025. Track your miles and share your journey.

What You Need To Know

  • Discover the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail on the Erie Canalway Challenge

  • Cycle, paddle, run, hike, or walk and discover all you can do along New York's canals

  • Adaptive kayak and canoe launches are located in towns and cities along the Erie Canalway Corridor

  • Rochester Accessible Adventures makes inclusion possible  

Sharon Holahan’s can-do attitude is why she rarely sits still. She doesn’t wait around for anything because of her disability. 

"The word 'can’t' has never been in my vocabulary," said Holahan.

Thanks to Rochester Accessible Adventures and its work around the state to make recreation inclusive and available to all, Holahan tried something new, kayaking.

“I like physical things and it’s difficult to find things to do. So when I saw this, I was like, 'yes,'" said Holahan. 

Adaptive canoe and kayak launches with ramps, railings and arm straps are going in along the Erie Canalway Corridor from Buffalo to Schenectady. 

Holahan set out to paddle 15 miles this summer in the Canalway Challenge. It makes her feel so good, she kayaks or cycles the canal path 8-10 miles a day, three days a week.

“I’m not quite sure why the physical part has so much to do with my mental part. I’ve always said if I’m upset or mad put me in water,” said Holahan. 

Accessible Adventures executive director, Anita O’Brien, says one in four Americans lives with a disability, so communities need to be expecting people with disabilities all the time.

“Well, I really would love to get to the point where people don’t have to ask for this, that it’s just a way of business being offered and I believe that we can get there. It’s magnificent to know that people like Sharon discover it,” said O’Brien. 

Holahan is on mile 118 and counting. 

“If you want to do it, you can do it, somehow. It may be different than other people, but so what,” said Holahan. 

Rochester Accessible Adventures has all kinds of inclusive sports and activities to connect you with. The Canalway Challenge is free to join, anytime.

More and more adaptive kayak launches are going in every year along the Erie Canalway Corridor. There are more than a dozen accessible launches in towns and cities from Buffalo to Rochester to Baldwinsville and Schenectady.