GSWA Source To Sea Virtual Challenge 2023

Are you up for a virtual challenge? Here we go! Run, walk, bike, hike, snowshoe, ski, dance, shovel, vacuum, roll - any indoor or outdoor activity you choose - 80 miles (the length of the Passaic River) from anywhere in the world. This challenge goes Sat, January 21 through Sun, March 26. That means you will have 64 days to complete this challenge at your own pace. To give you an idea of how it works, doing an activity every day of the challenge equates to ~1.25 miles per day for 64 days. With all the activities you do on a daily basis, this should be a pretty attainable challenge!

Why the length of the Passaic River you ask? The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) protects and advocates for the water and land of the Great Swamp watershed and the Passaic River region. What better way to learn about this important natural resource than by "traveling" the length of the River?

New this year is an Activity Conversion Chart to help you convert the time you spend doing a particular activity (aerobics, dancing, hiking, etc.) into mileage. Click HERE to view the activity conversion chart. 

A fun way to track your progress is on the interactive map on this site. The map begins at the source of the Passaic River in Mendham and ends where it meets the sea in Newark Bay. Simply enter your mileage into the tracking system after each activity. The system then calculates your total mileage and updates your progress on the map so you can see "where you are" virtually on your journey along the Passaic River. 

Every 10-mile milestone you achieve, you will receive an encouraging email to cheer you on in your journey. Included in these emails will be interesting facts about your "current location" along the Passaic River and the importance of this wonderful resource. You will also learn about some great places to visit and things to do at or near each location.

This event is open to anyone at any fitness level using anything powered by you! Remember, this is not a race, it's a challenge to keep you active and help you accomplish an impressive goal. The $35 registration fee includes a fun, commemorative decal to proudly display on your car or fridge, showing your support of GSWA and our mission. Additionally, all who complete the challenge within the 64-day time period will receive a complimentary ticket to GSWA's 6th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival (a $30 value) taking place in late spring, 2023.  Join Source to Sea Challenge participants and GSWA staff at a celebratory pasta dinner on Wednesday, March 22nd  at 6 PM for an additional $10/pp. C'mon out and get your pasta on!

By participating in this event, you are supporting the mission of Great Swamp Watershed Association to protect and preserve the waters of the Passaic River region with vigilant water quality monitoring and unique environmental educational opportunities, serving all who are impacted by and dedicated to this vital resource. Visit GreatSwamp.org to learn more about Great Swamp Watershed Association - who we are, what we do, and why it matters to all of us.

Tag us on Facebook @Great Swamp Watershed Association or Instagram @GreatSwampNJ, use the hashtags #gswavirtualchallenge & #sourcetosea, and share your progress with us!