By Ashley McCarty
The Adams County Health and Wellness Coalition October hiking challenge was been won by Sarah Vaughn.
Vaughn hiked over 20 Adams County trails during October to secure her victory in the challenge.
Since 2018, the Adams County Health and Wellness Coalition has hosted the Hike for Health fundraiser, which raises funds to support the coalition’s ventures in promoting the health and wellness of the community. This year, what would have been the third annual Hike for Health, was postponed in light of the pandemic. In its place, the coalition simply challenged Adams Countians to hike.
“We didn’t do it this year because of the pandemic, so that’s why we just kind of changed it up. We didn’t do a fundraiser, we just challenged people to get out and hike all through the month of October,” said ACHWC Co-chair Debbie Ryan.
To win the challenge, participants had to post a picture of themselves hiking any trail in Adams County to the coalition’s Facebook page. Each picture and subsequent trail conquered earned an entry into the pot.
“I participated in Hike for Health [in 2018 and 2019] because I like the promotion that the coalition [advocates for], just overall health. I’m on the Health and Wellness Coalition, so of course I also wanted to show my participation,” said Vaughn.
This year, Vaughn took the challenge personally.
“I chose to hike as many trails as I could because one, the whole Hike for Heath kind of motivates me to hike anyway, and then I wanted to just kind of challenge myself and see how many trails I could hike out of the Adams County Resource Guide. I wanted to challenge myself and see how many I could do throughout the month of October,” said Vaughn.
Vaughn hiked every weekend, and also throughout the week after work.
“I enjoy hiking, it’s one of my favorite things to do, just to get out and hike, and Adams County is beautiful anyway. What drove me to do it was really to challenge myself and see how many I could hike this year compared to what I did last year. I also hiked some trails last year, and I just wanted to see if I could honestly get through that book in October. It was a challenge within myself,” said Vaughn.
Sometimes, members of her family would join her on these hikes.
“The Wilderness Trail at the Charles E. Eulett Preserve [was my favorite]. It’s a loop out in Lynx, Ohio. It’s a really nice trail. I actually hiked it last year with my son and forgot about it, and then I hiked it again this year. It’s really nice and peaceful back there, so I really enjoyed hiking that trail,” said Vaughn.
Her favorite memory as she crushed her personal goals and ultimately the challenge presented was when she and her son hiked the Joan Jones Portman Trail.
“We went up there and just sat at the top for a few minutes. It was me, my son and my dog. Just being up there with him and looking out was a great memory,” she said.
Vaughn encourages the community to get out and experience the beauty of Adams County, too.
“Adams County is beautiful, it really is. If people just got out there and hiked it they would really see how awesome Adams County is; how beautiful and how peaceful. Up in those trails it’s just so peaceful and relaxing. So, for anyone that doesn’t hike the Adams County trails, I highly encourage them to get out there and do so. Hiking in the fall is a wonderful time, it’s so pretty, but I’ll hike anytime during the year and it’s always a good time,” said Vaughn.
For winning, Vaughn received a gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“She took this challenge to hike as many trails in Adams County as she could — and maybe hiked all of them — and that just goes to show her dedication to the Health and Wellness Coalition and to personal wellness. We’re thrilled that we’re able to give her this prize and showcase her efforts,” said Ryan.