Register For
The Grandma Gatewood (Virtual) Challenge

Back to Race Website

Registrant #1

Login with your RunSignup account.
New RunSignup account details
  • Must meet two of the following requirements: Must meet three of the following requirements:
Requirements Met
Passwords Match
Format: mm/dd/yyyy
Used for age group calculations
Valid formats include: 000-000-0000 or 0000000000

Choose Your Challenge *

Sunday April 26, 2026 - Sunday May 31, 2026

$35.00 + $3.10 SignUp Fee

5 Miles -> 5 Hikes -> 5 Parks -> 5 Weeks 

To plan your hikes, check out these maps.

Trails for All
The Ohio State Parks Foundation funds projects that make our state parks more welcoming to all. ADA trails are listed here. We encourage people of all abilities to participate in this challenge!

For those of you that are participating in the Buckeye Trail's Emma Grandma Gatewood Solstice (EGGS) hike, this is your chance to prepare for this year's event held June 25-28. Learn More about EGGS

For everyone else, this is a great way to get in shape and visit your favorite or never-before-visited Ohio State Parks!

*Repeat park locations are acceptable, but we encourage you to use this challenge to visit multiple state parks, especially those you've never visited before! You can hike in other parks (city, metro, out-of-state) and use your miles to count towards this challenge, but in our opinion, the Ohio State Parks are the best places to complete the challenge!

*Each hike should be 5 miles (or more!). If you can't get to 5 miles at first, keep trying. You will receive words of encouragement during the challenge to help you stay motivated!

Registration fee: $35, includes finishers patch
Official t-shirt - $10

Proceeds and donations will support the Ohio State Parks Foundation's mission which is to make Ohio's state parks more welcoming to more people. We work with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to identify projects such as inclusive playgrounds, accessible trails, kayak launches, ADA benches and picnic tables in the 76 Ohio State Parks. Where the tax money ends, our funding begins. 

Important Dates:

  • Tuesday, March 31 - The deadline to register to guarantee your t-shirt size. Packets will start mailing out the week of April 5.

  • Sunday, April 26 - The deadline to register to give yourself five full weeks to complete the challenge.

  • Sunday, May 31 - The last date to complete the challenge and submit your tracking data to qualify for a finisher's patch.

  • Sunday, June 28 - Attend the EGGS reception at Burr Oak State Park for a photo opp with other participants.

Need Inspiration? Look no further than the namesake of this challenge, Grandma Emma Gatewood who hiked the AT three times, becoming the first woman to hike it solo. She also hiked the Oregon Trail and sections of the Buckeye Trail. She started her hiking career at the age of 67. 
Ohio’s Most Famous Hiker––Emma “Grandma” Gatewood - Ohio History Connection

Waiver

In consideration of you accepting this entry, I, the participant, intending to be legally bound do hereby waive and forever release any and all rights and claims for damages or injuries that I may have against the Event Director, RunSignup.com, and all of their agents assisting with the event, sponsors and their representatives, volunteers and employees for any and all injuries to me or my personal property. This release includes all injuries and/or damages suffered by me before, during or after the event. I recognize, intend and understand that this release is binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees.

I know that hiking in this challenge is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter and hike unless I am medically able to do so and properly trained. I assume all risks associated with running in this event including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather, traffic, and trail or route conditions, and waive any and all claims which I might have based on any of those and other risks typically found in a hiking activity. I acknowledge all such risks are known and understood by me. 

Further, I grant permission to all the foregoing to use my name, voice and images of myself in any photographs, motion pictures, results, publications or any other print, videographic or electronic recording of this event for legitimate purposes.

All entry fees are non-refundable. We reserve the right to postpone or cancel the challenge due to circumstances beyond our control such as a natural disaster or emergency or as required to protect the safety of participants and staff. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances. We reserve the right to change the details of the event without prior notice. I understand that my entry fee is non-refundable and bib numbers are non-transferable.

By submitting this entry, I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above release and waiver including the no refund policy.



If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Read how we use cookies and how you can control them by visiting our Privacy Policy.

If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies.