Wissahickon Park 'All Trails Challenge' Fundraiser Kicks Off

PHILADELPHIA – We told you about it last month, and now it has begun. So get ready to hit the Wissahickon Valley Park trails as part of the All Trails Challenge fundraiser contest from the Friends of the Wissahickon.

The challenge began Thursday, Sept. 7 and runs through Nov. 28.

Participants are tasked with traversing all 50 miles of Wissahickon Valley Park trails. Whether you run, walk, bike, or even do it on horseback, you can help raise money for the Friends of the Wissahickon by participating.

Here's how you can participate and help raise funds:

1. Register for the 2017 ATC at the launch party or online here on Sept. 8. FOW members start on Aug. 21. All ATC participants who have registered with a minimum of $50 raised or contributed are eligible to compete for prizes based on miles completed;
2. Track your mileage with Map My Run or Strava and sync it with your fundraising page;
3. Start logging miles and raising money for Wissahickon Valley Park;
4. Spread the word. Create a fundraising page and share updates with friends and family via email and social media. Tag @FOWissahickon and use #FOWAllTrails Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Some of the prizes available include: a five-day, four-night stay at an all-inclusive four star resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, including airfare; a weekend getaway at a luxury Pennsylvania resort; a night on the town in Philadelphia; and more.

Last year, more than 270 people participated in the first ever ATC. In total, those people logged over 5,000 miles, raising $25,000 for the park.

2017 ATC Sponsors include Chestnut Hill Hospital, Old York Advisors of Raymond James, Kouvenda Media, Aqua America, Machinery, McFarland Tree, Landscape & Hardscape, Wissahickon Brewing Company, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, with additional support from, Serendipity, Earth, Bread + Brewery, Devilfish Ink, and Skytop Lodge.

Image via Geoff Alexander, Flickr Commons