‘Hike-a-Thon’ Kicks Off April 1, Supporting Nature in Tennessee
TENNESSEE (April 1, 2026) —TennGreen Land Conservancy’s Hike-a-Thon, the month-long competition that supports the protection of Tennessee’s lands and waters, began its adventure competitions Tuesday, April 1. This month-long event is unlike any other in the Southeast, encouraging participants to get outdoors and enjoy nature from anywhere—all while raising funds, winning prizes, and championing conservation alongside TennGreen Land Conservancy.
The Hike-a-Thon includes many individual and team competitions for all skill levels of hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The event is accessible to everyone, from experienced outdoor adventurers to those looking for a fun way to engage with the outdoors this spring.
“Protecting Tennessee’s irreplaceable nature and beauty is TennGreen’s critical mission, so we’re beyond thrilled with how deeply the Hike-a-Thon has been embraced,” said Alice Hudson Pell, TennGreen’s Executive Director. “As Tennesseans, we are blessed with some of the most phenomenal scenic beauty, biodiversity, natural resources, and top-notch outdoor recreation on the planet. Every single dollar raised by the Hike-a-Thon goes directly toward safeguarding each of these treasures,” she continued.
Over 56,000 Acres of Critical Nature Protected
All proceeds from Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen Land Conservancy has protected over 56,000 acres of critical nature—including expanding Fall Creek Falls State Park by more than 2,000 acres; supporting critical conservation along the Duck and Hatchie Rivers; working with partners to protect Lockeland Springs Park in East Nashville; and securing key lands along the Cumberland Trail. Many of our new state parks, including Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf, and Head of the Crow, were also aided by TennGreen’s decades-long commitment to safeguarding Tennessee’s natural resources.
Register Now at Hikeathon.com
Registration is simple and takes place at hikeathon.com. Last year (April 2025), over 1,100 adventurers participated in Hike-a-Thon. Throughout the month-long competition, Hike-a-Thoners raised more than $259,000 as they hiked, paddled, climbed, ran, and biked more than 15,000 miles. With participants enjoying everywhere from local parks to the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Iceland, Spain, Hawaii, Yosemite National Park, and Alberta, Canada, the event was a resounding success—one TennGreen hopes to grow on in 2026.
This year, thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards and much more. Participants will also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium. To view a full list of Competitions & Prizes, click here.
“TennGreen’s Hike-a-Thon has been a life-changing event for me. And it is all for a great cause!” Susan Hager, an annual Hike-a-Thon participant, testified. “The Hike-a-Thon gave me the motivation to lengthen my daily hike and explore new trails. I found that, the more time I dedicated to hiking, the better I felt. My energy levels increased, my stress decreased, my general mood improved, and I was more focused and productive at work.”
Thank You To Our Hike-a-Thon 2026 Sponsors
TennGreen Land Conservancy is beyond grateful for annual participants like Hager, and the generosity of this year’s lead Hike-a-Thon sponsors: Atmos Energy, Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics, Bearded Iris Brewing, Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company, the Sandra Schatten Foundation, and SphereCommerce alongside McClanahan Law and The Parent Company.
Individual competitions include Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Miles Hiked (Senior), Most Miles Hiked by a Hiker Experiencing a Disability, Most Miles Trail Run, Most Miles Paddled, Most Miles Biked Off-Road, Most Feet (Vertically) Climbed, Most Overall Adventures, and Most Unique Donors.
Team competitions include Best Team Name, Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Team Donors, and Most Unique Adventures.
Prizes will also be awarded in three photography competitions, including Best Photo, Best Team/Group Photo, and Best Selfie.
Participants may compete in as many competitions as they’d like, and ”pop-up” prizes will be up for grabs throughout the month of April. Participants can also win prizes by completing ten of sixteen Hike-a-Thon “challenges” (e.g., visit a State Park) as part of a Tennessee Treasure Hunt.
“Each of these competitions supports the creation and expansion of our beloved parks and natural areas while helping more landowners protect their forests and farmland. But we want everyone to get out and enjoy the outdoors at their own pace while encouraging each other to love and defend nature,” Hudson Pell added. “We hope to see you all on the trails this April!”
Register for the Hike-a-Thon now at hikeathon.com!
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Geoffrey Parker, TennGreen Land Conservancy’s Director of Development, at hikeathon@tenngreen.org or (615) 329-4441 ext. 110.
Donations to the Hike-a-Thon are available via the Hike-a-Thon website.
About TennGreen Land ConservancyTennGreen Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen’s mission is to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Through sound science and partnerships, TennGreen identifies and conserves land across Tennessee for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit. TennGreen protects, cares for, and connects people with Tennessee’s natural world by providing meaningful outdoor experiences, establishing conservation easements, supporting restoration efforts, and acquiring (or assisting in the acquisition of) privately held land. To learn more, visit tenngreen.org.
