TowpathGO – C&O Canal Trust

Do you love the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP)? Do you also love biking, walking, or running? Combine your passions and rally support from your family, friends, and colleagues for this unique peer-to-peer fundraising challenge. This is not your typical ride or run – YOU set your course!

Register for the C&O Canal Trust’s TowpathGO and raise funds to ensure the Park we love remains beautiful, safe, and welcoming into the future.

How it Works

The Challenge
This is a program for EVERYONE regardless of age, ability, or ambition. Your challenge does not even need to be completed in the Park. Follow one of our suggested challenge options, or customize your own! Suggested challenge options are listed below.

We will be here to help cheer you on throughout your challenge! Share photos and updates about your TowpathGO challenge with us to share on our social media channels.

Interested in participating as a team? Or, would you like to participate from a distance? Please contact us at [email protected].

TowpathGO Timeline

May 6, 2023 – The TowpathGO Challenge launched with our 5k event held in Williamsport.

October 21, 2023 – TowpathGO ends. Complete your challenge before this deadline, and join us for our fall 5k, Violettes Lock & Stroll!

Registration
Follow the link at the bottom of the page to complete the registration process. You will be asked to provide information about your challenge and fundraising level on the registration form. A toolkit with instructions on how to set up your fundraising page and tips and tricks to make fundraising fun and easy will be emailed to you. We are happy to answer any questions, or walk you through how to set up your page and get started!

Man and Dog in Williamsport by Trust Staff

Biker in Nolands Ferry by Trust Staff

Challenge Options

184.5-Mile Challenge
Take on the full length of the C&O Canal NHP! Divide your challenge into sections and bike, run, or walk at your own pace. Enjoy a multi-day exploration of the Park, and take time to visit Canal Towns along the way.

50-Mile Challenge
Establish your own starting and end points, and stretch yourself to take on 50 miles of the C&O Canal NHP in one or more days! 50 miles is no easy feat, so we recommend frequent pit stops to keep hydrated and enjoy the scenery.

25-Mile Challenge
25 miles is just under a full marathon! Choose a section of the Park for a day of trail running. Then, enjoy cool-down time among the trees and wildlife, and give yourself a pat on the back – you just ran 25 miles!

Customize your Challenge!
You can create your own challenge – a 5K, a 10-mile trek, you name it! Complete your challenge however and wherever you like. We just ask that you soak in the scenery and get moving!

Fundraising Levels

Set a fundraising goal with your challenge, earn swag, and contribute directly to the C&O Canal NHP. We will help you set up your own personal fundraising page and provide a fundraising toolkit to help make your journey fun and easy. Fundraising levels are listed below with the swag you can earn by hitting each level!

$250
Water bottle

$500
Water bottle
C&O Canal NHP themed hat

$1,000
Water Bottle
C&O Canal NHP themed hat
C&O Canal NHP themed t-shirt

$2,500+
Water bottle
C&O Canal NHP themed hat
C&O Canal NHP themed t-shirt
Print of the Park by a local photographer