Troy staff member to undertake 26.3 mile hike for Make-A-Wish Alabama

A Troy alumna and University Relations staff member has announced her participation in the upcoming 2026 Trailblaze Challenge – a one day, 26.3-mile-long fundraising hike which supports and reflects the perseverance and resilience shown by Make-A-Wish kids.  

Before learning about the challenge through an online group, Savanah Weed didn’t anticipate undertaking such a trek. 

Contributed photo

Weed poses on a peak during a hike.

This participation in the challenge will mark Weed’s first experience with Make-A-Wish and Trailblaze, but despite not having prior experience with the organization or challenge, her experience as an avid hiker and her motivation to support hurting families has her anticipating a positive experience through the miles. 

“Make-A-Wish Alabama deserves to be supported because they are trying to do good in this world and spread joy, especially to families who are facing some of the darkest times imaginable,” Weed said. “I can’t fathom the heartbreak at not only having a critically ill child with an uncertain future, the stress and limitations that puts on a family and siblings, constant doctor’s appointments and trips to the hospital, and then you factor in medical debt, parents having to leave their jobs to become full-time caregivers and the rising cost of living in general, and it’s just not sustainable.  

“So, for an organization like Make-A-Wish to step in and say, ‘Hey, what would make your life just a little bit brighter?’ and to then be able to follow through, to me, that seems like a worthy cause to throw my weight behind.” 

To join the challenge, participants must attend an informational meeting. Weed attended one in Montgomery, Alabama, where she learned about Make-A-Wish Alabama, the families they support and the dreams they make come true and walked out with a completely different mentality than she walked in with.  

“We learned about the history of Make-A-Wish Alabama, their financial struggles, the long waiting lists families were having to be placed on and how Trailblaze really turned things around,” Weed said. “We learned about all the different types of wishes they fulfill and heard so many stories about children’s journeys.  

“A father of a former Make-A-Wish kid and current Trailblaze hiker also spoke to us, and hearing firsthand about how this organization and this program impacted his family really struck something in me. It no longer became about the challenge of hiking 26.3 miles; it became about being a part of something larger than myself and putting some joy back into the world around me.” 

The 26.3 miles of the Trailblaze hike will span the Pinhoti Trail in the Talledega National Forest in Birmingham, Alabama, with the 0.3 miles being an important inclusion in that it makes the hike longer than a marathon.  

In her announcement, Weed spoke about her brief stint working in advertising and how it felt gross and uncomfortable for her to ask people for money, but followed up saying that for this, she’s excited. 

“I’ve never enjoyed fundraising or trying to sell something,” Weed said. “I’ve always felt uncomfortable asking people for money, especially when times are so hard for people, but this cause feels different because it’s something I actually believe in, and I think it’s an organization people can feel good about giving to and know that their money is being used wisely. 

“I know that with my donation, I am actively helping to make a difference in a child’s life, and that’s a good feeling.” 

To prepare for the 26.3 mile journey, Weed is continuing her regular hikes and running days while also further improving her endurance in the Troy Rec Center’s spin classes multiple days a week. She also plans to implement dedicated days for knee, ankle and core strengthening and hip mobility to help prevent injury throughout the upcoming trek.  

Additionally, Trailblaze organizers have set out a 12-week training program for participants that is soon to begin, alongside weekend group hikes that will increase in mileage.  

“My favorite place to be is out in the woods somewhere with no cell service, so call me crazy but I think I am going to love this experience,” Weed said. “I have no doubt it’s going to be hard, and I will definitely cry at some point, probably several times, but the feeling of accomplishment at the end is always worth the physical and mental difficulty.” 

“This organization cannot operate without donations, so I really can’t stress enough just how important donations and sponsorships are,” Weed said. “It sounds like a cliché, but every dollar counts and helps us to meet our goals and help Alabama families.” 

Those interested in supporting Weed in her goal of raising $2,603 can visit her donation page at http://site.wish.org/goto/savanah_weed. Those interested in learning more about the Trailblaze Challenge can visit https://wish.org/alabama/trailblaze-challenge.