2021 Bike-A-Thon Offers Walk/Run Options

6/29/2021

Do you enjoy walking, running or riding a bike? Do you want to help send children and youth to camp? Come be a part of the 2021 Walk/Run/Bike-A-Thon!

After a pandemic hiatus, leaders of WPAUMC's annual Campership Bike-a-Thon have planned five regional events for walkers, runners and bikers who want to raise funds to help children and youth attend one of our Conference camps.

Rather than the five-day Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. trek, each event this year is designed so that anyone, regardless of fitness level or ability, can participate. Walking/running/riding the entire distance is not required. Because each walk/run/ride is out and back, participants can choose the distance they are comfortable doing. For example, if a participant only wants to walk/run/ride five miles, they have the option to turn around at mile 2.5.

All trails are handicap accessible and have either a paved or crushed limestone surface. Children and youth are welcome with parents/guardians.

Each of our event sites is part of one of the many incredible rail-trails in Western PA. The events begin at 9 a.m at the following locations on dates listed:

July 24 in Rockwood, PA on the Great Allegheny Passage. Walk/Run/Ride up to 36 miles on the section between Rockwood and Confluence. (See photo above) For more info on the trail, visit https://gaptrail.org/
August 21 in Blacklick, PA on the Ghost Town Trail. Walk/Run/Ride up to 32 miles. More info at https://www.indianacountyparks.org/trails/ghosttown_trail.aspx
September 4 in Franklin, PA on the Allegheny River Trail. Walk/Run/Ride up to 30 miles. More info at avta-trails.org/allegheny-samuel-trails.php
Sept 18 in McDonald, PA on the Panhandle Trail. Walk/Run/Ride up to 32 miles. More info at https://www.mcdonaldtrailstation.com/panhandle-trail.php
October 2 in Brockway, PA on the Clarion Little Toby Trail. Walk/Run/Ride up to 36 miles. More info at http://www.tricountyrailstotrails.org/trails/clarion-little-toby-trail/

The cost of the event is $30, plus a pledge to raise at least $100 for camperships and the Deeply Rooted, Upward Reaching Camping Campaign. Ask your family, friends or church to sponsor you per mile or per event. Download a sponsor form. Your event registration includes a t-shirt (S-XXXL), light breakfast, ride snacks and water. If you would like to participate in multiple events there is no additional cost. Register at https://wpa-reg.brtapp.com/2021BikeAThon

If you or your church would like to sponsor breakfast, help with hospitality for one of the walk/run/ride events, or if you have any questions about the Walk/Ride/Bike-A-Thon, contact Chris Kindle at Chris.kindle@wpaumc.org.

To sponsor a participant or to make a general donation to any of the five events, you may send a check made payable to WPAUMC with Bike-A-Thon in the memo line (include the participant’s name if a sponsorship). Checks should be sent to the attention of Kristin Poerschke at WPAUMC/P.O. Box 5002/Cranberry Twp, PA 16066. You may also make an online donation here.