Every mile you spend outside will help support your local trails and preserves.
For each mile you log from August through October, our sponsors will match $1 as a donation to KELT.
what is the trail challenge?
Dates: August 12th-October 26th
Cost: FREE
The idea for the challenge is simple: you spend as many miles outside as you can from August to October. For each mile you log, our sponsors will match $1 as a donation to KELT.
From August 12th through October 26th, sign up as an individual or as a team, and log your mileage on foot, wheels or by paddle. Anyone can participate, no matter the fitness level, preferred trail use, income or availability. And if you aren't local to Maine, you can track miles from anywhere - it all counts towards our goal.
We’ll have fun activities, like our Trail Challenge Passport and weekly group events - with chances to win prizes every step of the way. Together we can make lasting memories in the outdoors, while guaranteeing the same opportunities for generations to come.
Grab your hiking boots (or bike, or kayak), and let's hit the trails!
How can I join in the challenge?
Local businesses pledge to match $1 for every mile logged by the community
YOU register for the KELT Trail Challenge on the Pledge-It Platform (either as an individual or team).
Run, hike, bike, kayak, walk your dog (you name it!) on any of our trails, anytime between August 1st and October 26th
Log your mileage on your Pledge-It Page and post photos/updates to the Community Page
Participate in optional fun activities like our Trail Challenge Passport and weekly events like group runs, bike rides, hikes, and more!
Throughout the challenge there will be opportunities to win prizes from local businesses!
Go the Extra Mile
When you sign up to join the Explore the Estuary Trail Challenge, we will make it easy for participants to raise additional funds from friends and family. We know so many of you love our trails, and this is an opportunity for you to show us just how much!
Prizes and Incentives
Trail Challenge Passport: visit all 10 preserves on the passport and win a sticker!
Top Mileage: log the highest mileage on Pledge-It leaderboard. There will be a prize for Most Miles Overall Individual and Most Miles Overall Team.
Photo Challenge: When you post photos to our Pledge-It page, you could win a prize for best capture!
Benchmarks: Log any amount of miles in August, September, or October to be entered into a raffle - we will select a winner each month!
Trail Challenge Passport
How it Works
Collect a passport from the KELT office, print it from our website, or receive it in the mail - inside the passport is information about our preserves and their trails
Visit our favorite 10 preserves across the Kennebec Estuary listed in the passport and log your mileage on Pledge-It.
When you’ve visited all 10 preserves, send in your passport either by mail, bring directly to the office, or send a photo to redeem your prize!
How challenging will the trail challenge be?
It’s totally up to you! We recognize that everyone has differing abilities and want to create a space where all of our trail users feel comfortable and valued. As such, there is no minimum to how many miles you must log to participate.
Throughout the Challenge, we plan to host group events to encourage participants to get out on the trails and meet new friends! These events will range in activity and difficulty levels. The Trail Challenge will culminate in our inaugural Thorne Head 4K Trail Run on October 26, a casual Trail Run and post-run breakfast in our most popular Preserve!
Who are the Trail Challenge Sponsors?
We are so fortunate to live, work and play in a region that is home to so many businesses who support nature-based recreation for all! Thanks for our community sponsors.
I love this community initiative! How can i sponsor or support miles?
Reach out to epistell@kennebecestuary.org to get an email with our sponsorship packet below for all the details on financially supporting and matching trail challenge miles.
