Additional donation adds to possible total for Trail Challenge

The community is having fun on the Whitefish Trail this May with 15,490 miles logged so far in the second annual Hit the Trail Challenge.

For every mile logged by users on the Whitefish Trail for the month of May who participate in the challenge, it earns $1 in donations to support the trail and public recreation.

So far trail users have raised $15,490 for Whitefish Legacy Partners, the nonprofit behind the trail. Those participating in the challenge include 478 individuals, 10 workplace teams, and Whitefish Middle School students, all of whom have logged miles on the trail.

The challenge was originally set with a goal of raising up to $20,000 in matching funds, but another $10,000 has been added in matching funds from the High Stakes Foundation.

This brings the total available matching pool to $30,000 for every mile logged on the trail.

Alan Myers-Davis, Director of Development for Whitefish Legacy Partners, says the High Stakes Foundation believes in solutions which support vibrant, interconnected communities that give everyone in the local community a direct, long-term interest in the prosperity, health and beauty of Montana.

“With one warm and sunny week left, we are confident the community will surpass the original 20,000 mile goal, and High Stakes Foundation thinks we can get to 30,000,” he said. “They are putting up another $10,000 in possible matching funds, so get active and healthy on the trail and log your miles to help us get 100 percent of the matching pool.”

Sponsors BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, North Valley Hospital, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and the Tailwinds Charitable Foundation are also contributing to the match.

Participation is free and last year the community logged a total of 20,062 miles, thus raising $20,062.

Miles are logged with an online form by joining the Hit the Trail Challenge Strava Club, or by paper log sheet. Sign up at www.whitefishlegacy.org/hitthetrail

Prizes and awards will be given for top participants. Individual leaders as of May 24:

• Most miles biked: Clint Muhlfeld, 662 miles

• Most miles run: Garrett Bloom, 180 miles

• Most miles hiked: Henry and Essie Roberts (tied), 100 miles each

• Most miles on horseback: Jenna Anderson, 20 miles

• Whitefish Middle School grades: Seventh-grade students, 549 miles; fifth-grade students, 482 miles; eight-grade students, 411 miles; sixth-grade students, 80 miles

• Workplace Teams (most miles per employee): 1. Competitive Timing, 2. HeartStone Advisors, 3. Muldown Elementary teachers