The Good Climb Endurance Challenge Returns to HoliMont
The Good Climb Endurance Challenge Returns to HoliMont
Push your limits for a cause! The Good Climb returns to HoliMont Ski Area with a five-hour endurance challenge benefiting mental health initiatives across WNY.
By Dena J. DiOrio
The annual return of The Good Climb Endurance Challenge happens this Sunday, July 27th at Ellicottville’s own HoliMont Ski Area. Now in its fourth year, The Good Climb hopes to attract over 200 participants and spectators and raise close to $25,000, with all proceeds benefiting non-profit Horizon Health Services, which provides mental health and addiction services throughout Erie, Niagara, and Genesee Counties. EllicottvilleNOW caught up with The Good Climb’s Founder and Director, John Baldwin, for comments.
“We believe that doing hard things builds mental resiliency, which can help reduce stress, build confidence and improve people’s mental health,” he told us. “Horizon [Health Services] is doing some wonderful things in our area high schools, designing programs to educate students, teachers and parents. We are working to remove the stigma of mental health and suicide prevention.”
According to The Good Climb’s mission, which is to foster improved mental health through physical activity, the challenge pushes participants to their limits and hopefully beyond in hopes to raise mental health awareness. The five-hour endurance challenge is open to participants of all ages and abilities and everyone is encouraged to participate at this spectator event.
As for the challenge’s origins, Baldwin, the East Aurora native said he came up with the idea while on a hike at HoliMont and that he has been skiing with his wife and children in the region since his children could walk. “I came up with the idea during Covid while doing some hiking up the hills at HoliMont. I presented the idea to them and they said, “That sounds crazy, and we love crazy - we are in!”” Baldwin recounted.
The climb will commence at the base of Exhibition Run, where participants will walk, hike, or run up the hill, then ride the chairlift down, and then do it all over again. There is no cap to how many times participants can go up the hill and the organizers encourage those interested to really push their limits and go for one more climb. For those looking for a particularly tough challenge, the route under the chairlift provides the most difficulty. The organizers recommend that participants wear stiff sole trail running or hiking shoes. Trekking poles and headphones are allowed, although participants are encouraged to mingle with each other on the course to foster camaraderie and facilitate improved mental health.
For those interested in running, the organizers recommended doing so in the flat areas only. Water and electrolyte drinks will be provided on the course, as well as snacks like cookies, bananas, and pretzels, although participants can bring their own food and drink if they prefer, as well as their own water bottles, which can be refilled at filling stations. A light lunch catered by The Market in the Square will be provided at noon for participants. Drinks and music will be provided by sponsors Try-It Distributing, and DJ Tyler. Athletic trainers will be onsite courtesy of the event’s title sponsor, Excelsior Orthopaedics. A changing station will also be provided where participants can securely store personal belongings during the event.
For those who are interested participating, Baldwin gave some words of encouragement. “There are three levels of difficulty to climb the hill,” he said. “You just have to come out and push yourself. You will be surrounded with people just like yourself and there is so much love and support on the hill. I guarantee you can do it, and I guarantee you won’t regret it!”
Individuals and groups in teams of four are welcome to participate. Baldwin says that Yeti trophies will be awarded to the winning teams, compliments of The Good Climb’s partners at The City Garage.
“Unfortunately, programs like Horizon Health Services have suffered major funding cuts, so we really need the community to come out and support. We’d love for you to become a participant, but even if you can’t, please consider going to www.thegoodclimb.com and donating what you can,” Baldwin said. The event has raised a total of $100,000 in the past four years and hopes that this year’s event will be a good one.
“Events like this - doing hard things - will drive personal development, and personal development will inspire more personal development!” he concluded, encouraging those on the fence to “just come out and do it!”
For additional information on The Good Climb Endurance Challenge, visit its website. To sign up to participate in this year’s challenge, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Ellicottville/TheGoodClimb.