Plogging the Trails

The “Plogging the Trails” Series aims to further the inter-connectivity between local running clubs and their local communities by partnering with community-based running clubs to co-organize weekend plogging events during the Spring season at local trails throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This series is made possible by Athletic Brewing, Co. and their annual “Two for the Trails” grant.

As an added incentive for participating run clubs, the “Plogging the Trails” series utilizes a points-based competition format whereby each participating run club receives points based on three different components of their plogging event:

Plogging Participation - 1 POINT awarded for each plogging participant in attendance

Trash Collected - 2 POINTS awarded for each trash bag filled or large item collected

Trail Covered – 3 POINTS awarded for each 0.1mi of trail covered

Point totals for each run club are then calculated after each plogging event with the top three run clubs receiving a cash award, presented at the Juneteenth Half Marathon & 10K.

Plogging the Trails ‘26 was our biggest year yet. Across 13 spring dates, we partnered with 13 run clubs from Baltimore, MD down to Richmond & Charlottesville, VA — 311 ploggers, 393 bags of trash, and 54.6 miles of trail left cleaner than we found it.