Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech
By Julie Flanagan
The Hokie Hike is back.
Virginia Tech’s annual virtual hike began on Oct. 15 and has new registration options for children and Hokie pets plus brand new gear.
Participating is easy. Register online, hike anywhere between now and Nov. 27, and share the journey using #HokieHike.
This year’s hike features all-new Hokie hiking swag, including a shirt and a choice of bucket or trucker hat. Plus, there are registration options for children and theirHokie pets, including a Virginia Tech pet bandanna.
Thousands of Hokies have hit the trail since the hike’s inception in 2020, completing hikes all over the world. The annual event also has raised more than $40,000 for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. A portion of the registration fee is a gift to support student outdoor recreation activities.
“Rec Sports provides opportunities for students to engage in physical activities to create healthy lifestyles,” said Alison Cross, its director. “The Hokie Hike helps raise funds for our programs, but it also ties into our mission of encouraging Hokies to join the Hokie movement and find a way to move that works for them.”
Funds from last year’s event helped purchase climbing shoes for students to borrow to use on the new bouldering wall in the Venture Out Center.
This year’s event will also feature official in-person meetups, including with alumni chapters across the country and the Class of 2023.
Hokies for whom hiking isn’t their thing may run, walk, or even do a lap around their neighborhood. It all supports Hokies and is a way to have fun while enjoying cooler temperatures, seeing the changing leaves, and exploring the great outdoors.
