Five Rivers MetroParks brings back popular Trails Challenge

Those looking for an excuse to get outside will find just that with the return of the MetroParks Trails Challenge. Started in 2020 in the beginning of the pandemic, the annual challenge encourages Miami Valley residents to explore Five Rivers MetroParks’ trails by offering prizes to those who hike, bike, walk, paddle or horseback ride at one of the system’s parks. 

The challenge consists of 28 different trails of varying length, from the 5.5-mile Stillwater River Water Trail for paddlers to the 0.5-mile Heart Healthy Trail in Island MetroPark for hikers, walker and bikers. With every trail you complete, you can enter to win a $100 gift card from a local outdoor retailer of your choosing. Those who complete all 28 trails can enter the contest 28 times.  

In addition, for each mountain bike trail that is completed, participants receive one entry to win a Huffy mountain bike. And children 14 and under who participate are entered to win a Kid’s Adventure Pack (full of outdoor gear) for each trail they complete.

Those who complete 18 or more trails receive a MetroParks Trails Challenge sticker. Five Rivers MetroParks will also randomly select 100 people who completed 18 or more trails to receive a 2022 Trails Challenge T-shirt.

To participate, Five Rivers MetroParks asks that you register on its website. You can then use either the MetroParks mobile app or a printable trails log to track your progress. Your trails log must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2022, to be eligible for a prize.