13th year!
Challenge Hike: Saturday, May 17, 2025
20 miles on the Appalachian Trail
4K, 10K and Half Marathon Hikes: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center and C&O Canal Towpath
Back again this year! Every dollar raised above the $200 suggested fundraising goal will be matched TWO-TO-ONE by the God’s Grace Fund! (i.e. TRIPLED)
4K, 10K and Half Marathon Hike – May 31
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- Choose from 4K, 10K and half marathon hike distances
- Enjoy Snacks & Drink stops along the way
- All hikes conclude at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center
- Post-hike lunch and celebration for all hikers at Shepherd’s Spring
- Nature scavenger hunt for the kids! (or fun-loving adults)
- Prizes for top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team
- Prize drawing for ANYONE who does fundraising
- Choose from 4K, 10K and half marathon hike distances
4K (2.5 miles) – 9:00 and 9:45 am check-in options. Individuals $45; Families $75
(Prices include online registration fees.)
10K (6.3 miles) – 8:00 am check-in time. Individuals $55; Families $95
Half Marathon (13 miles) – 7:00 am check-in time. Individuals $65; Families $115
$10 Early-bird discount and guaranteed t-shirt if you register by May 11!
2-1 matching donation from the God’s Grace Fund for all individual fundraising over $200!
Check-in location for all hikers: Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center, 16869 Taylor’s Landing Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Start points on the C&O Canal towpath at Dam Number 4, McMahon’s Mill, and Falling Waters Road (you will be shuttled to your start point from Shepherd’s Spring).
Please note that registrations are welcome up through Hike day, but t-shirts in your size are not guaranteed after May 11.
Materials for your use coming soon:
- Hike flyer 2025
- 2025sponsorship form fillable2
- 2025 sponsorship form pdf
- Hike bulletin insert 2025
- 2025 sponsorship form fillable
- 2025 sponsorship form pdf
- Hike Manaul Registration Form (for those who prefer not to register online)
- Individual Fundraising Collection Sheet (or use our online fundraising tool, set up automatically when you register online!)
- HARC Hike Information & Instructions 2025
HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope is a non-competitive fundraising event open to all ages. This fully supported hike on the beautiful C&O Canal towpath features 4 K (2.5 miles), 10 K (6.2 miles), and half marathon (13.1 miles) hikes, to include everyone from casual to serious hikers and runners. Participants can look forward to scenic water views, water & Gatorade refills along the way. All hikes will be along the C&O Canal in Maryland and will end at the beautiful Shepherd’s Spring Retreat Center and our “Celebration” pavilion, where participants can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch and fellowship.
Virtual Event
Can’t make the date? Not comfortable gathering with other people outdoors? You can still help by joining us — virtually! Participants can hike any date of their choice leading up to the event, any time of day that’s convenient.
Ed Poling Memorial PA Challenge Hike – May 17
Are you a serious hiker or want a serious challenge? Join us for the annual HARC Challenge Hike on Saturday, May 17, 2025. A small group of hardy souls will be hiking 20 mountainous miles of the Appalachian Trail starting in Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania and ending at Pen Mar Park in Maryland. This is a one-way hike with transportation back to your cars. We’ll have support along the way with a light breakfast, hearty lunch, and water & Gatorade refills and snacks along the way. Enjoy camaraderie and encouragement on the trail. Registration cost is only $55 if you raise $200 in donations OR bypass fundraising and donate $260 at time of registration. (Prices include online registration fees.)
Check-in Location— Pen Mark Park
Registrations are welcome up through May 10, and include a special Challenge Hike t-shirt. Register by April 27 for a $10 discount.
- Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion with Group photo following the hike.
- Anyone who finishes the Challenge Hike will be listed on our Wall of Fame.
Challenge Hike Info & Instructions 2025
Visit the HARC Challenge Hike “Wall of Fame” – Pictures and trails from past hikes
The Cause
Proceeds from the Hike for Hunger & Hope will benefit all HARC programs with a significant portion going directly to Micah’s Backpack and a portion to the Refugee Welcome Network. Micah’s Backpack is a collaborative effort between 50 churches and organizations in Washington County, serving more than 1,250 children with weekend meals. The Refugee Welcome Network supports refugees new to the U.S. as they work toward independence and becoming part of our community.
Let’s raise some funds for the cause! We encourage, but do not require, individual and team fundraising. You can use our Individual Fundraising Collection Sheet (above) or use the handy online donation page that can be automatically set up when you register. Once again, the God’s Grace Fund will match ALL fundraising donations over $200 2-1 so your donation can be TRIPLED for HARC and Micah’s backpack! We will also once again have prizes for the top individual fundraiser and the top fundraising team. Also, ANYONE who does fundraising will be entered into a drawing to win a prize.
Visiting Washington County for the day or weekend? Check out things to do and places to stay on the Visit Hagerstown website:
I want to help, but don’t want to hike
If you don’t want to hike, but want to support the cause, we welcome your donation. Use one of the donation links below or you can mail your check to: HARC, P.O. Box 1158, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-1158. Please write “HARC Hike” in the note section and indicate if you are pledging to support a specific hiker. Any amount will help. Thank you! (Links will be active in January, 2024)
Contact us!
If you have any questions, please contact the HARC office at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.
