Flagstaff, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2024) – Kahtoola is thrilled to announce that its 17th annual GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill event, held on February 10, 2024, has once again surpassed previous records, raising over $77,000 for local nonprofit Friends of Camp Colton’s environmental education programs. This year’s event at Arizona Snowbowl saw strong participation, with over 400 registered racers.
“The GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill is not just a race; it’s a celebration of community, adventure, and the great outdoors,” remarked Ari Wilder, Executive Director of Friends of Camp Colton. “The funds raised from this event play a crucial role in supporting Camp Colton’s outdoor programs for children, ensuring that thousands of local kids can experience the wonders of nature. We are immensely grateful to be part of a community that values such experiences.”
This year’s race was highlighted by the participation of notable athletes including Jim Walmsley, a renowned ultramarathon runner known for his record-setting performances; Rob Krar, another ultramarathon legend with several championship titles; and Molly Seidel, an Olympic marathoner who has rapidly become a prominent figure in long-distance running. Their involvement added an extra layer of excitement and inspiration for all participants.
“We are overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved in making the 17th annual Kahtoola Uphill our most successful event yet,” said Danny Giovale, Founder and Owner of Kahtoola. “Kahtoola was founded to celebrate human potential and outdoor adventure. It’s an honor to witness our community coming together to share these enriching experiences, and also to make them possible for local youth in Northern Arizona.”
Since its inception, the GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill event has raised over $600,000, directly supporting the education of future environmental stewards. For more information on Friends of Camp Colton, please contact Ari Wilder at ari@friendsofcampcolton.org or call 928-864-8129.
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About Kahtoola: Established in 1999, Kahtoola crafts exceptional outdoor gear with a commitment to philanthropy, conservation, and sustainability. Kahtoola’s gaiters, hiking crampons, and flexible footwear traction systems, including MICROspikes®, EXOspikes™ and NANOspikes®, are built to improve safety and performance. Every product is thoughtfully designed and vigorously tested at the brand’s Flagstaff, AZ headquarters high on the Colorado Plateau. Owned and operated by founder Danny Giovale, Kahtoola proudly grants 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to organizations that support indigenous cultures, outdoor community and environmental responsibility. For more information, please visit Kahtoola.com.
About Friends of Camp Colton:
For over 21 years, Friends of Camp Colton has cultivated exceptional outdoor learning experiences that instill the value of preserving the natural world and inspire growth and discovery. By enriching the student experience at Camp Colton, an outdoors learning and discovery center for Northern Arizona youth, Friends supports adventure, discovery, personal growth, and environmental education. Through program innovation, hosting events and building community partnerships, Friends raises funds so all kids — regardless of income or circumstance — can have an uplifting and rewarding connection with nature and with each other. Working with the Flagstaff Unified School District, Friends of Camp Colton is committed to preserving this community tradition for generations to come.
