This Just In: No Loon Echo

Dear Loon Echo TREK enthusiast, As a past entrant and supporter, we want you to be the first to know of some exciting changes.  These changes to our long running TREK will give participants a better interaction with our preserved lands while also significantly improving our fundraising efforts to protect them. Since the beginning in 2001, the Loon Echo Trek has been our major fundraising event. Every year the bike portion has required the vast majority of the planning, production and volunteer effort.  With declining entrants, increased costs and multiple bike events overlaid on our traditional third Saturday of September date, we have decided to reorient the focus of the event towards our mission.  To that end, we are discontinuing the biking portion of the TREK and increasing the focus on the trekking side of the event. What’s New? We are adding a mountain running competition. Hiking Pleasant Mountain trails has been part of the event since 2007.  The hiking portion of the TREK showcases one of our many successes – conserving Pleasant Mountain for future generations.  In addition to continuing the two recreational/participational hikes on the Ledges and SW Ridge trails, competitive runners will have the opportunity to have a go at a timed race.  By the addition of a competition category, we are expanding the audience. Of course the party and celebrations will continue. The TREK will be held again on the third Saturday of September – September 15, 2018.  We are reserving 80 registrations for the recreational trekking portion and 120 slots for trail running competitors.  Registration opens April 15th.  General information is available at www.lelt.org/programs/trek and registration at www.runreg.com/trek.  Space is limited so register early. We thank you for your past participation and hope that you will join us to celebrate and support land conservation by entering this year’s TREK. Hoping to see you soon,   Thom Perkins, Executive Director Loon Echo Land Trust 8 Depot St., Suite 4 Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-4352 execdir@lelt.org www.lelt.org