A whopping rockstar success!

WTA's 7th Annual Hike-a-Thon was a huge success, surpassing our goals, and leaving me completely bewildered at just how incredibly AWESOME Hike-a-Thoners are.

Our 118 participants raised more than $63,500 for trails! Hike-a-Thon Rocks!

We raised so much money that I had to go back to sponsors to ask for more prizes!

So, are you wondering who the big winners were?

This year's team efforts did not go unnoticed. Most Team Miles goes to Thru Hiker & Trail Angel who hiked 734.3 miles - they also took the prize for highest average miles per team member. They will soon be hiking with guidebook author Craig Romano and chowing down at Grove Street Brewhouse. Runner up team miles goes to We Trip, We Fall with 427.5 miles. They are sure to enjoy their hike with author and WTA board member Langdon Cook.

Captain Kirk and the Redshirts raised the most team dollars raising $6,750! Runner up goes to the Renton Ramblers who raised $1,725. Both will be completing their backcountry kitchens with gear from MSR and trailcooking.com.

Setting a new record, Kirk Clothier raised $4,925 taking the prize for the most money raised by an individual, followed by Robert Axelrod who raised $3,710. They will both be sleeping in style in their new Hilleberg Akto and Mountain Hardwear Drifter tents respectively.

The most miles prize went to Holly Weiler the second year in a row. She hiked an amazing 306.3 miles. Cathy Kendig hiked 76.6 miles to take the Day Tripper prize. Trista Moore hiked 45.2 miles to sweep the Trail Wanderer category. And for Kids mileage category, young Gabi Loesch hiked 15 miles. Thank you Gregory for the four new packs I can't wait to hand out!

Kirk Clothier and Gwen Tollefson won for most new WTA members. Kirk - who seems to be the sweep in this year's event, will be toasty in his new OR jacket and Gwen will get to try out the MSR Reactor Stove. Thank you for bringing new folks to WTA! Steve Payne and Susan Shih from Captain Kirk and the Redshirts tied for most campaign sponsors with 47 each! They will have to duke it out for the Mountain Hardwear Lamina sleeping bag or OR bivy sack.

Best Hike-a-Thon photos go to Steve Payne and Kristie LaMar. They'll soon have MSR Nano towels to wipe the water from their lenses and Seal Line Padded Storm sacks to carry their cameras. Thanks to everyone who submitted!

Hike-a-Thoner Kristie LaMar reflected in Shawon's sunglasses in Indian Bar by Kristie LaMar

Noah Segobia will be sporting a new pair of Ahnu shoes since he submitted 14 trip reports, as will Ted Klump who hiked the most miles on WTA work parties (15.5).

Most hikes with kids goes to Gabi Loesch and Jessica Guthrie. Our Youth Programs Coordinator Krista Dooley looks forward to taking them on a hiking adventure personally.

As Hike-a-Thoners, we kind of avoided those Endangered Trails. A few of us checked out one Endangered trail a piece. Congrats go out to Liz Ulloa and Diana Bradon who will be splitting the OR Rocky Mountain gaiters and Gripper gloves.

Best Hike-a-Thon blog goes to Lindsay Leffelman. Check out her blog at: http://hikinglindsay.blogspot.com She'll take home a Mountain Hardwear Fluid 26 day pack for sharing her fun Hike-a-Thon adventures.

I am already looking forward to next year's event and hope you'll join us for Hike-a-Thon 2011! 

WTA's 7th Annual Hike-a-Thon was presented by Mountain Hardwear - Seattle Store 

To learn more about how we did this year, visit the Hike-a-Thon Hall of Fame.