This is the first annual Ijams Hike-a-Thon, a fundraising event for Ijams! Hikers will be able to collect pledges from family and friends and then spend the month of March hiking Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness Trail.

What?

Ijams Hike-a-Thon is a month-long fundraiser for Ijams Nature Center – hikers collect pledges then hit the trails in March to hike.

Why?

Because you love hiking! To make your miles count! To protect the trails you love! For the exercise! To get your family out on the trail – or just to motivate you!  Funds raised will help preserve and protect the environmental and historical resources of Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness and provide educational opportunities to our local schools and citizens.

Who?

Everyone! Young and old, newbie or experienced hiker – anyone who loves hiking and hiking trails or the greenway can participate. Hike as an individual or a team of 2 to 10 people.

When?

Ijams Hike-a-Thon runs the entire month of March, 2013. Registration for the 2013 Ijams Hike-a-Thon will begin February 1, 2013.

How?

Start by registering for the event on February 1, 2013. The Registration Form can be found HERE. Once Registration is complete, please print out your Mileage Log Brochure and Pledge Form. Next, gather pledges from friends and family – they can sponsor you right on the website HERE. On March 2nd, start hiking!

What About Sponsorship?

It’s not too late to sponsor Ijams Hike-a-Thon! Contact Mary Thom Adams at mtadams@ijams.org or (865) 577-4717 ext. 117 for more information about how your company can support Ijams Hike-a-Thon 2013.

More Questions?

Check out the Ijams Hike-a-Thon Frequently Asked Questions page.

What About Prizes?

There will be many prizes in many categories for Ijams Hike-a-Thon. Please check back for a list of the categories and prizes for Ijams Hike-a-Thon.

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Hike-a-Thon FAQ

What is Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Ijams Hike-a-Thon is an annual fundraising event for Ijams. Hikers collect pledges from family and friends and then spend the month of March 2013 hiking Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness Trail. Registration for the event begins February 1, 2013.  The Registration Form can be found HERE.

The Ijams Hike-a-Thon is a super fun way to benefit Ijams. Ijams Hike-a-Thon gives you the opportunity to help preserve and protect the environment and provide educational opportunities while hiking and earning great prizes from generous Ijams Hike-a-Thon sponsors.

You register for the event online and then create your own Ijams Hike-a-Thon fundraising webpage. It’s easy!  By collecting flat or per-mile pledges from your friends and family, your efforts will add up fast! You’ll even get a webpage link that you can e-mail to your friends and family asking for their pledge.  It’s that easy!

Who can hike for Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Everyone! Young and old, newbie or experienced hiker – anyone who loves hiking and hiking trails can participate. Hike as an individual or a team of 2 to 10 people.

Can I hike as part of a team for Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Yes! Teams of 2 to 10 members are allowed in the event. It can be a team of your friends, your family, or your co-workers!  You can even create a Team Ijams Hike-a-Thon webpage which reflects your team’s fundraising goal. When you register, simply follow the directions to register as a team. Teams compete for their own special grand prizes, but all Ijams Hike-a-Thonners are eligible for special awards and cumulative prizes.

How much hiking is involved in Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Hike as little or as much as you like during March 2013. All miles on named trails or the greenway will count toward your Ijams Hike-a-Thon goals. Track all the miles you hike to compete for most miles hiked during the month to win special prizes.

What can I win?

We are still working on prizes for this year’s event, so check back to view the loot up for grabs. There will be many categories to compete in!

Are there Ijams Hike-a-Thon hiking outings?

Yes! We have several exclusive Ijams Hike-a-Thon hiking outings and events planned.  The Ijams Hike-a-Thon will kick off on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with opening remarks and a hike led by Vice Mayor, Nick Pavlis. Hike as much as you can from March 2 through March 30. Some hikes will even be led by local Knoxville celebrities such as Darin’ Erin Donovan, WDVX’s Red Hickey, and WVLT’s Alan Williams. In addition to these celebrity hikes, there are dozens of fun walks for hikers of all ages. For a complete listing of March events, be sure to check our Event Calendar.

The closing hike will be Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.  At 6:00 p.m. prizes will be given out at the closing ceremony and from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Ijams will host the first annual Hiker’s Ball.  More information about the Hiker’s Ball can be found HERE.

Can I hike on trails that are not located at Ijams Nature Center or the Urban Wilderness Trail for Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Of course! However, only trails located at Ijams Nature Center or  the Urban Wilderness  Trail will count toward your mileage. For a complete list of the trails, see your mileage log brochure.

Can my Ijams Hike-a-Thon sponsors become Ijams Nature Center members?

Absolutely! Any pledge of $100 or more is eligible for a new Ijams Nature Center membership. Want to renew a current membership with your pledge? Just e-mail Whitney at wdavidson@ijams.org.  Pledges applied to memberships are tax-deductible.

Is there a registration fee?

Yes.  The registration fees are as follows:

$20 – Individual
$100 – Group of 10

The Registration Form can be found HERE.

$20 & $100 Registration Packages Include:

Shirt (one per person, while supplies last), pledge form, mileage log sheet, and admission to the closing ceremony & Hiker’s Ball

Also available:

$5 -Individual registration fee for those that would like to contribute, but not receive the above package.

These fees are not tax-deductible.

Will my participation be matched by my employer?

Many companies will match participation in cause-related events. You should check with your HR department to see if your participation in Ijams Hike-a-Thon will be matched. If it is, your company’s match will count towards your Ijams Hike-a-Thon fundraising goal.

Can my company sponsor Ijams Hike-a-Thon?

Yes! Sponsorship opportunities are still available for outdoor gear companies and other businesses who want to support the event. Contact Mary Thom Adams at mtadams@ijams.org or (865) 577-4717 ext. 117 for more information.