Past Challenges
Cool Things That Have Happened
Check out the archive of past challenges, events, and prize incentives to see how the program has grown! Get Your Tail on the Trail coordinators work hard to add new ideas, try new event locations, and find new ways to motivate participants to keep getting your tail on the trail. Here are some of the highlights since the program started in May 2013.
The sixth annual 30/30 Winter Challenge included a wide variety of weather, including the edge of the polar vortex and a few snow storms. But even the polar vortex couldn’t keep the Tail on the Trail users from logging their miles. The 2019 30/30 Winter challenge saw the highest number of participants and completions for any previous winter challenge.
Active Participants: 1,216 participants logged at least one mile during the challenge
Completed 30 Miles (or more): 922 participants
Total Miles Logged: 63,460.92 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 500.36 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a packable water bottle
February 9th, 2019 at Slate Heritage Trail – This snow shoe hike turned into a nice winter hike due to the lack of snow. There was a snowshoe and winter clothing demonstration lead by Elissa Garofalo the Executive Director for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor(D&L). There was a group of 18+ people who took the winter hike along the Slate Heritage Trail down to the junction with the D&L trail. More photos and future events are available on the Tail on the Trail Facebook Page.
165 Mile Challenge (May 1- November 1, 2018)
Active Participants: 2,331 participants logged at least one mile during the challenge
Completed 165 Miles (or more): 1,102 participants
Total Miles Logged: 491,328.25 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 5830 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a rain poncho
The Sixth annual 165 Mile Challenge saw the highest participation numbers of any challenge to date. Even though the Lehigh Valley saw a higher than normal rainfall, it didn’t stop over a 1,100 participants from reaching the 165 mile goal.
Tail on the Trail Events:
May 5, 2018 at Hugh Moore Park – A celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Tail on the Trail, as well as the opening of Hugh Moore Bark (the new dog park located in Hugh Moore Park). The event included walkers getting their miles with their dogs around Hugh Moore Park and along the D&L trail. More photos are available on the Tail on the Trail Facebook Page.
30/30 Winter Challenge (February 1 – March 2, 2018)
Active Participants: 1,024 participants logged at least one mile during the challenge
Completed 30 Miles (or more): 835 participants
Total Miles Logged: 62,172 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 534.9 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a shoe light!
The fifth annual 30/30 Winter Challenge included a full mix of weather from Mother Nature – frigid cold to 70 degrees. We were anxious to have some snow that lasted long enough for participants to use the Tail on the Trail snowshoes available for loan at the D&L Office in Hugh Moore Park but when we finally got 5″ of snow, it melted way too quickly.
Tail on the Trail Events:
- January 27, 2018 at Blue Mountain Resort – This special event partnered with Blue Mountain’s 40th Anniversary WinterFest and we took our 24 pairs of snowshoes TO the snow at Blue Mountain since Mother Nature wasn’t providing it. Nearly 100 people stopped by to try out the snowshoes for free and talk to coordinators about the Tail on the Trail program. Golden Pepper Productions was present to film parts of the event and create a short video to promote the winter trail challenge and available snowshoes. That video is available on the Tail on the Trail Facebook page.
165 Mile Challenge (May 1 – November 1, 2017)
Active Participants: 1,489 participants logged at least one mile during the challenge
Completed 165 Miles (or more): 940 participants
Total Miles Logged: 425,158 miles logged from May 1 to November 1
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 6,230 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and an insulated backpack chosen by Tail on the Trail Facebook followers!
The fifth annual 165 Mile Challenge followed previous years in building healthy lifestyles by encouraging participants to get out and get active, especially outside activity to benefit from fresh air and enjoy peaceful settings along trails surrounded by nature and history. New trail sections were celebrated during the challenge including the 0.8 mile Nor-Bath Trail extension to connect to the D&L Trail and the 0.65 mile Phase 4 of South Bethlehem Greenway – more trails to explore!
Tail on the Trail Events:
- April 29, 2017 at Lehigh Gap Nature Center along the D&L Trail and Appalachian Trail – Tail on the Trail held a special event to kick-off the 165 Mile Challenge. Participants went around to exhibitors to find answers to their “passport” questions or get stamps at each station. Exhibitors were Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, St. Luke’s Fitness & Sports Performance, St. Luke’s Cancer Prevention, St. Luke’s Hospice, St. Luke’s Community Health, and Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s. Completed passports entered each person into a raffle for a Camelbak water backpack. Photos from the event were taken by St. Luke’s Media Services and are available in the Tail on the Trail Facebook page.
- October 28, 2017 at Northampton Canal Street Park along the D&L Trail – Tail on the Trail wrapped up the 165 Challenge with a finale event to get out on the trails together. Participants were encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes with walking shoes and join for a 2.4 mile walk from the D&L Trail onto the new Nor-Bath Trail connection to wear it joins the existing Nor-Bath Trail near the athletic fields. Photos from the event were taken by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and are available on the Tail on the Trail Facebook page.
30/30 Winter Challenge (March 1 – 30, 2017)
Active Participants: 920 participants logged at least one mile during the challenge
Completed 30 Miles (or more): 636 participants
Total Miles Logged: 42,885 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 519 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a royal blue knit Tail on the Trail beanie for completing 30 miles or more!
The fourth annual 30/30 Winter Challenge brought a new website with better data tracking that includes time spent on distance exercises and changes in healthy living behaviors over time, plus more events listed, photos from past events, more interactive trail map, and ability to add corporate and community groups. This is an exciting step and will help show the success of the program – improving health in the region and exposing more people to trails, nature, and history.
Tail on the Trail Events:
- March 4, 2017 along the D&L Trail – National Canal Museum Spur in Hugh Moore Park, Easton – This special event featured an introduction to the new website and a 2.6 mile walking loop on the D&L Trail and new paved walking paths in City of Easton’s Hugh Moore Park. It was sunny but chilly and lots of participants sported Tail on the Trail past prizes to stay warm (hooded sweatshirts, fleece jackets, fleece headbands and scarves). Photos from the event were taken by St. Luke’s Media Services and are available in the Tail on the Trail Facebook page.
165 Mile Challenge (May 1 to November 1, 2016)
Participants enjoy the D&L Trail, Allentown section on June 18th for a Tail on the Trail Event. Major League baseball pitching great, Steve Carlton, participated in the event.
Active Participants:
Completed 165 Miles (or more): 1,045 participants
Total Miles Logged: over 496,000 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 5,108 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a dark grey hooded Tail on the Trail sweatshirt for 165 miles, coupon to Aardvark Sports Shop for 330 miles (double), and coupon to Cutter’s Bike Shop for 495 miles (triple)!
The fourth annual 165 Mile Challenge brought an increase in active program participants and new themes and locations for the Tail on the Trail events.
Tail on the Trail Events:
- June 18, 2016 along D&L Trail in Allentown’s Lehigh Canal Park – This special event featured a meet and greet with Hall of Fame Pitcher, Steve Carlton, and a chance for the all 145 attendees to visit exhibitors and get their “passport” stamped as they walked the D&L Trail along the Lehigh Canal to earn a Tail on the Trail cooling towel at the end of their walk.
- October 1, 2016 in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Health Festival at Northampton Community College – Tail on the Trail exhibited at the health festival that attracted a few hundred people learning about nutrition, exercise and wellness services all provided by local businesses. Proceeds benefited the Children’s Home of Easton.
30/30 Winter Challenge (February 1 to March 1, 2016 – Leap Year!)
Active Participants: 967 participants
Completed 30 Miles (or more): 783 participants
Total Miles Logged: 61,275 miles
Most Miles Logged by Individual: 509 miles
Challenge Rewards: YOUR HEALTH . . and a black fleece Tail on the Trail scarf!
We asked participants to leap into the leap year with the 30/30 Winter Challenge of 2016.
Tail on the Trail Event:
- February 2, 2016 along the South Bethlehem Greenway in Bethlehem – The group took a walk along the South Bethlehem Greenway plowed of the remaining winter snow before heading to the Fowler Hispanic Youth Center for continued healthy living activities. Kellyn Foundation held a cooking demonstration making vegetable stew over quinoa with homemade bread and everyone enjoyed the taste test! There was also an exciting zumba class taught by a St. Luke’s exercise instructor for a chance to get our hearts pumping with indoor cardio.
