The Fall 2025 REI Virtual Walking Challenge will start on 1 November and run through 2 December – Giving Tuesday. This isn’t a race—it’s an experience (though you’re welcome to make it competitive if you wish!). We will post details for signing up in the next couple of weeks.
Make it fun and social: walk with friends, chat, debate, and maybe even try to solve the world’s problems along the way. Most importantly, every step you take helps make a real difference for refugee communities.
The route you’ll follow virtually mirrors the treacherous journeys taken by displaced people seeking safety and dignity. It includes border crossings, unpaved roads, and mountainous terrain, as well as temporary settlements and transit points. Yet, like in real life, there are also moments of beauty and awe along the way.
You can walk, run, cycle, or even swim your portion of the challenge. Simply connect your health app to the Virtual Mission platform. Each time you reach a milestone, you’ll receive a digital postcard highlighting scenes and experiences that reflect what refugees may have witnessed on their journeys.
By taking part, you’re not only moving for your own health—you’re helping to support REI-funded projects that empower displaced people worldwide to rebuild their lives with dignity, opportunity, and hope for a brighter future.