Registration is now open for the fifth annual Hike-a-Thon.
"This month-long event is unlike any other in the Southeast, encouraging participants to get outdoors and enjoy nature from anywhere—all while raising funds, winning prizes and building awareness of ways to protect the lands they love alongside TennGreen Land Conservancy," officials said.
The Hike-a-Thon includes many individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers and more.
The event is open to everyone, including experienced outdoor adventurers and those simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside this spring.
All proceeds from Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen Land Conservancy has protected over 51,000 acres of critical nature—including expanding Fall Creek Falls State Park by more than 2,000 acres; working with partners to protect Lockeland Springs Park in East Nashville; acquiring land for Ducks Unlimited Park in West Memphis; and securing key lands along the Cumberland Trail, Tennessee’s longest linear park.
“As Tennesseans, we are blessed with some of the most phenomenal scenic beauty, natural resources, biodiversity, and top-notch outdoor recreation on the planet,” said Alice Hudson Pell, TennGreen’s executive director. “Protecting all of this is TennGreen’s unwavering mission. This requires large investments, which is why we’re beyond thrilled with how deeply the Hike-a-Thon has been embraced. Every single dollar raised goes directly toward safeguarding Tennessee’s irreplaceable resources and natural treasures.
"Thanks to generous supporters of conservation, Hike-a-Thoners have the opportunity to win one-of-a-kind experiences—like a private jam session for up to six people with Ketch Secor (lead singer of Grammy-winning Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show). Other prizes, donated by outdoor recreation specialists and friends, include kayaks from Pyranha and Jackson Kayak, a two-night stay at Wildwood Resort & Marina, adventure bundles from REI, and so much more."
Individual competitions include Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Miles Hiked (Senior), Most Miles Hiked by a Hiker Experiencing a Disability, Most Miles Trail Run, Most Miles Paddled, Most Miles Biked Off-Road, Most Feet (Vertically) Climbed, Most Overall Adventures and Most Unique Donors.
Team competitions include Best Team Name, Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Team Donors, and Most Unique Adventures.
Prizes will also be awarded in three photography competitions, including Best Photo, Best Team/Group Photo and Best Selfie.
Participants may compete in as many competitions as they’d like, and ”pop-up” prizes will be up for grabs throughout the month of April. Participants can also win prizes by completing ten of sixteen Hike-a-Thon "challenges" (e.g., visit a State Park) as part of a Tennessee Treasure Hunt.
Last year (April 2024), over 750 adventurers participated in Hike-a-Thon. Throughout the month-long competition, Hike-a-Thoners raised more than $206,000 and hiked, paddled, climbed, ran and biked more than 12,970 miles. Nearly 2,700 outdoor adventures were logged, from neighborhood parks to the Italian coast and the mountains of South Korea.
"TennGreen’s Hike-a-Thon has been a life-changing event for me, and all for a great cause!” Susan Hager, an annual Hike-a-Thon participant, testified. "The Hike-a-Thon gave me the motivation to lengthen my daily hike and explore new trails. I found that, the more time I dedicated to hiking, the better I felt. My energy levels increased, my stress decreased, my general mood improved and I was more focused and productive at work.”
Officials said, "TennGreen Land Conservancy is beyond grateful for annual participants like Hager, and the generosity of this year’s lead Hike-a-Thon sponsors: Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics, Bearded Iris Brewing, Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company, SphereCommerce and Atmos Energy Corporation."
"With the funds we raise through Hike-a-Thon, we'll continue to create and expand our beloved parks and natural areas, help more landowners protect their forests and farmland, and further encourage all to love and defend nature,” adds Ms. Hudson Pell. “We hope to see you all outside in April."
Register for the Hike-a-Thon at
hikeathon.info.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact Geoff Parker, TennGreen Land Conservancy’s director of development, at hikeathon@tenngreen.org or 615-329-4441 ext. 110.
Donations to the Hike-a-Thon can be made through the Hike-a-Thon website.