It’s not unusual to see valley residents sporting a Tin Cup Challenge t-shirt throughout the year, and with each passing year this spectacle seems even more common. That’s all due to the Tin Cup Challenge’s (and offshoot Fun Run) egalitarian and benevolent appeal and purpose.

Since its inception six years ago, the Challenge is proud to tout that its fundraising efforts have garnered nearly $6 million in support of local nonprofits with enormous participation numbers and donations. Now for the seventh consecutive outing, the Tin Cup Challenge returns on Saturday, July 19, and over one thousand will be in tow as participants run, jog, or walk to promote positive growth and development within the community.

Whether it be ten kilometers or five, competitive or leisurely, every participant will benefit directly from the Tin Cup Challenge. Aside from raising funds for the various nonprofit organizations under the Community Foundation of Teton Valley, the event is an excellent opportunity to boost one’s own wellbeing.

The marathon serves as a firm reminder and testament of each resident’s own commitment to their health and their home, and the setting couldn’t be better.

Jogging across the valley, backdropped by the idyllic Tetons as the sun slowly pours across the fields, is a scene fit for a postcard; inspirational and instantly memorable. Even in the final, most exhaustive stretches of the 10K marathon, the unvarnished beauty of the locale can motivate those teetering on the brink of collapsing to persevere to the finish line.

But the Tin Cup Challenge leaves participants with an even greater sense of accomplishment than that of a morning workout, one heightened by personal gain as a product of selfless charity: a sensation that even the most exuberant of emotions have difficulty matching.

And for those who are exercise-averse, or merely enjoy sleeping in past 9 a.m., the Tin Cup Challenge offers many other avenues of involvement. Donations are gratefully accepted online, volunteers are always appreciated and in perennial demand, and the post-run festivities are open to anyone in the Driggs City Park.

In the true spirit of charity, the altruistic generosity of community members will not go unreciprocated, as the celebrations in the park range in appeal for all age groups.

Complimentary breakfast with burritos, yogurt, fruit cups and coffee will be provided for anyone in attendance, along with a bike valet from Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (who also will host an obstacle course), ridding the burden of constant bike attendance for those opting to peddle to the park. Then, for those still too young to run or walk in the Tin Cup Challenge, is the Diaper Derby, where precocious marathoners of tomorrow will compete in an “exciting crawl to the finish.”

Those who may still be recovering from the morning’s run and looking for a leisurely cool down can find entertainment on stage. Featuring performances from the Hispanic Resource Center, Full Circle Education and Yama Judo, this passive form of amusement is the ideal complement for just relaxing while enjoying the free breakfast.

Elsewhere, the Teton County 4-H will form an on-site petting zoo, replete with furry farm life to groom and adore. In addition, the Blake Chapman Young Eagles will offer a flight simulator, and the Teton Valley Community School will provide the perfect opportunity for target practice with a dunk tank. Teton Valley Trout Unlimited will assist in indoctrinating those unskilled with a rod to the ways of the river, and both Friends of the Teton River and the Learning Academy of Teton Valley will allow those yearning to unleash their inner mad scientist to do just that with experiments that will abound.

As the day will be inundated with fun and enjoyable activities, it may be easy to loose sight of its purpose; to celebrate the community and continue to expand and grow the Valley’s trademark recreational offerings.

The Tin Cup Challenge does just that and is the mecca of the entire day, but its donations and participants aren’t just automatic, and before indulging in the plethora of activities at the park, its strongly implored to run, donate, or both.

The Community Foundation of Teton Valley is currently accepting donations on their website, where those interested may also register to run. Please go to www.cftetonvalley.org for more information.

This article appeared in the Valley Citizen on July 16, 2014.