Challenge turns hill work into help for climate advocacy
Runners can raise cash for environmental initiatives by logging elevation gains through the 10-day Climb for Climate event
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davidmarcu/Unsplash
Runners and other outdoor enthusiasts across Canada will be attempting to climb a combined 500,000 metres—nearly 56 Mount Everests—over the next 10 days through the Protect Our Winters Climb for Climate event, a challenge that lets runners support climate advocacy projects by tackling hills.
The challenge invites participants to log their elevation gains from their outdoor runs by using the #climbforclimate hashtag in the titles of their activities logged in the FATMAP app, which offers curated guides to Canadian trail-running routes, hiking trails and more. For every 20 metres gained, Guru Energy Drink will donate $1 to Protect Our Winters Canada, for a total donation of $25,000 aimed at initiatives to protect outdoor spaces.
Protect Our Winters Canada is a nonprofit national climate advocacy group that aims to unite outdoor enthusiasts, professional athletes and industry brands to advocate for policy solutions to climate change. It includes more than 31,500 members and has partnered with 44 brand and resorts and 60 professional athletes.
“Whether it’s a solo adventure, joining a local group activity, or accomplishing a long-awaited bucket list summit, every step taken will make a significant impact,” says Ali Wines, executive director of Protect Our Winters Canada. “You don’t need to be a hardcore athlete—every metre makes a difference.”
In addition to logging individual elevation gains on their own runs, participants can choose to challenge themselves further by creating their own GoFundMe page in support of the Protect Our Winters Canada during the Climb for Climate event, or by joining other participants in group outings that have been scheduled across Canada in the coming days. Information on dates and times can be found here.
Protect Our Winters Canada says all funds raised through the Climb For Climate event will be dedicated to the organization’s climate advocacy initiatives, including championing sustainable practices, national and local policy development and working toward mitigating the effects of climate change.
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