This story is being covered by the Travel Channel for their documentary “Spring Break 24/7.” So you know this has to be something good! Several Troy University students began a 6-day 140 mile walking trek down to Panama City today. Troy University’s chapter of Alpha Tau Omega is participating in Walk Hard 2013. Eleven people will don backpacks on the journey that will take them down U.S. Highway 231 from Troy and into Florida and then along secondary roads to Florida Highway 79 into Panama City Beach. Other brothers will form a support crew to assist the hikers along the way.
The group hopes to raise funds for Special Olympics in Alabama and Florida as well as Camp Seale Harris, a summer camp for children with diabetes. Travel Channel’s documentary “Spring Break 24/7” highlights the spring break travels of college students, who video document their break preparations and exploits. The eleven students particpating are Jesse Gonzalez, Mick Norris, Reese Claybrook, Ethan Carroll, Miller Morrison, John Duncan, Nelson Burton, Rad Bolt, Tyler Deal, Joe Mitchell and Will Spivey.
The effort began in 2010 when students Kyle Crabtree and Austin Bivins saw a man dressed as Superman walking down U.S. Highway 231 carrying an American flag. Curiosity sparked, they set out to organize a hike from Troy to the beach and began recruiting more participants. When the offer came to a mutual friend, they learned that despite the friend’s physical fitness he couldn’t participate due to having Type 1 diabetes. That set the stage for the group to raise money for Camp Seale Harris, a summer camp for children with diabetes that takes place at the facilities of Camp ASCCA, and exposed the fraternity to the special needs children.
On the first day today, the group took 45,653 steps, traveled 21.3 miles, and walked for 8 hours. Here is a picture from their Facebook page showing the guys walking down U.S. 231.
The group will walk into Panama City next week. They are looking to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics and Camp Seale Harris. To donate go to: http://walkhard.org/
To follow along in their progress, click on the links to their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ATOWalkHard and on Twitter @ATO_WalkHard
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- Fraternity members preparing to “Walk Hard” (wtvy.com)
- Troy University Ranks among Best in the South (wtvy.com)
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