Getting some exercise and helping a local urban park enjoyed by countless people is a win-win in the minds of most individuals.

Recently, the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation announced its partnership with the office of San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo (D-7) and San Diego Parks and Recreation Open Space Division to present the first hike-a-thon fundraiser for Mission Trails: Hit the Trails Hike-a-Thon for Mission Trails.

Registration is now open for this peer-to-peer fundraiser. Participants will recruit support from their networks, then track their activity from Oct. 15, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025.

In honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the purchase of Cowles Mountain, the Hit the Trails Hike-a-Thon for Mission Trails encourages the community to explore the outdoors while raising funds to support Mission Trails, one of the largest urban parks in the country enjoyed by more than two million visitors each year. Mission Trails Regional Park is considered one of the three jewels of the City of San Diego’s park system alongside Balboa Park and Mission Bay Park.

Mission Trails is comprised of more than 8,000 acres with 60 miles of trails. The collective fundraising goal is $100,000 and funds raised will support trail maintenance, educational programs for youth, and other important park initiatives.

“Hit the Trails Hike-a-Thon invites San Diegans to get outside, explore our region’s hiking and walking trails, and to enjoy nature in a meaningful and impactful way,” said Campillo. “Mission Trails Regional Park is a favorite of San Diegans and visitors for a reason; as a space for biodiversity to thrive and a vital recreational resource, it’s critical that we continue to protect it. I encourage the community to have fun while giving back to Mission Trails Regional Park as it has given to us.”

“This event is for everyone, regardless of fitness ability,” said Jennifer Morrissey, executive director of the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. “Since the community experiences Mission Trails in different ways, participants can choose their own activity for this event. They can track their miles by foot or by bike, and their activity can take place at Mission Trails, other parks or even in their own neighborhoods.”

Registration is now open so that participants can start their fundraising, but the activity portion will take place between Oct. 15 to Jan. 15 during the cooler season. Nearly a dozen teams have already signed up to raise money through the Hike-a-Thon initiative as momentum quickly builds throughout the community.

Prizes will be awarded to individuals and teams for most funds raised and most miles completed.

Para más información visite: https://charity.pledgeit.org/missiontrailshikeathon.