The Hike-a-thon will raise funds to assist Maine Audubon in conserving the 1,639-acre Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, located 10 miles northeast of Monson in Elliotsville Township. Hikers are asked to solicit pledges for the event. Any hiker turning in $25 in pledges will receive a Borestone Hike-a-thon T-shirt, and those turning in $50 or more receive a T-shirt and a season's pass to the Borestone Mountain Sanctuary. The hike-a-thon is open to all. Pledge forms are available from Kiwanis members or by contacting past club president Tom Lizotte at 564-4342.

"We hope that Kiwanians and others throughout our region will turn out for the Borestone Mountain Hike-a-thon and help raise money to preserve a landmark that is a special spot for Piscataquis County," said Lizotte. "We want to grow the hike-a-thon into an annual event that not only helps Maine Audubon, but also provides the community with a social time that promotes healthy physical activity. We've picked this time of year because the view of autumn colors from Borestone's peak should be spectacular."

Bus transportation will be available for the event, with a bus leaving Mayo Regional Hospital rear parking lot on Dwelley Avenue in Dover-Foxcroft at 8 a.m., and from the Guilford IGA at 8:30 a.m. The hike starts at 9 a.m. from the Borestone main gate on Bodfish Road, and pledges can be turned in at the nearby Sugar House.

The round trip to Borestone's summit is approximately five miles long over a well-maintained trail, and can take three-four hours depending on the hiking pace and how much time is spent viewing the fall foliage. The usual gate fee will be waived for all those participating in the event, and apples and drinking water will be provided to all hikers at the Nature Center on Sunrise Pond. Audubon naturalists will also be at the Wildlife Sanctuary during the event.

Maine Audubon works to conserve Maine's wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action. The state's largest conservation organization, Maine Audubon serves 8,000 members and has seven local chapters statewide. The organization owns and maintains 3,000 acres of wildlife-sanctuary land, and operates three Audubon centers and nine sanctuaries and camps.