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Life Hike Conquers More Than Mountains

The inaugural Life Hike will raise funds for Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University and take participants through some of the state's best trails.

By: Kayla Young


Life Hike brings a new meaning to staying active. Aside from spending two-nights backpacking to Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the event held by the Central Virginia Trailblazers will fundraise for the Hematology/Oncology clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. From May 11-13 adventure through one of Virginia’s most spectacular backwoods to Mount Rogers, Virginia’s tallest peak, while supporting the fight against childhood cancer.

“Raising money for these young children is important. While most of us have had a chance to live life, they are just beginning,” said Life Hike Coordinator Karl Harrelson. “They deserve a break and a chance at life.”

Founded in 2011, the Central Virginia Trailblazers is an outdoor adventure group that plans hiking, backpacking, camping, paddling, and biking events throughout the year. The Life Hike Trail guides individuals through the wilderness full of plains, rocky outcrops, upland bogs and booming forests, presenting some great photographic opportunities.

(Photo Credit: Phil Riggan)

This is the inaugural year for the event that will use hiking as a way to raise awareness to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“While hiking conquers a mountain and leaves you feeling accomplished, Life Hike shows that it can conquer other things, such as cancer,” said Harrelson.

There are many different ways to participate in the Life Hike. Companies that wish to become a sponsor of Life Hike can donate funds or products to benefit Children’s Hospital of Richmond or to hikers involved in Life Hike. In return, corporations will be given the chance to promote with logo placement. Becoming a Trail Mentor provides the opportunity to work alongside the Life Hike staff to organize group training hikes, coach new hikers and instruct participants on the skills of backpacking in the back country.

Each Life Hiker will receive a hike packet that includes a map of the trails, a personal fundraising website, a Life Hike hat, and more.

For each participant, the goal is to raise $1,000 to help achieve their overall goal of $30,000 for Children’s Hospital of Richmond. With $2,000 raised already, the Central Virginia Trailblazers plan to create other events throughout the year to reach their goal.

For more information about the Central Virginia Trailblazers and to register for Life Hike visit http://www.cvatrailblazers.org.

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