What does it mean to move mountains? For the group that took on the 2026 Girls on the Run Rockies 14er Challenge, it meant early mornings, steep trails, plenty of determination, and two unforgettable days in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks.
The sixth annual 14er Challenge brought participants together for an experience that was about much more than just the miles covered. Over the course of two days in July, challengers took on Mt. Princeton and Mt. Antero while fundraising for Girls on the Run Rockies, and discovered how powerful it can be to do hard things, together.
Girls Can Move Mountains
A 14er is a mountain peak that rises to at least 14,000 feet above sea level. For Girls on the Run Rockies Marketing & Events Manager Meg Yon, the idea behind the 14er Challenge is rooted in the same spirit that inspires Girls on the Run participants every day: challenge yourself, believe in what you can do, and keep moving forward.
“Girls can move mountains,” is the mindset that inspired the event. The challenge offers a uniquely Colorado opportunity to put that thought into action. Participants commit to preparing for and hiking two 14ers while raising funds to support the Girls on the Run mission.
For some challengers, the physical challenge was familiar territory. For others, pushing themselves in this way was a new adventure.
Alina Bruce took on the 14er Challenge for the first time this year. She said the physical challenge was humbling, but she kept thinking about the grit and determination it takes to refuse to quit.
“A 14er is about pushing past what feels impossible, celebrating the climb, and proving to myself that I’m stronger than I thought,” Alina shared.
That message is one she hopes Girls on the Run participants carry with them as well.
“These girls are already fearless in their programs: showing up, supporting each other, and crossing finish lines together,” she said. “My 14er Challenge is my way of saying: girls can achieve anything.”’
Two Days on the Trails
The hiking may be at the center of the 14er Challenge, but the experience begins well before participants reach the trailhead.
In the weeks leading up to the event, challengers participate in training and preparation webinars covering everything from fundraising to physical preparation to what to pack for the weekend. Volunteer “hiking helpers,” many of whom have participated in the challenge in previous years, also lead training hikes and join participants on the mountain.
Once challengers arrive in the mountains, the GOTR Rockies team takes care of many of the details so participants can focus on the experience itself. That means camping, meals, snacks, and plenty of support. It also means some very early mornings.
On the first day, participants started out on the trail around 4:45 a.m. On the second, they left even earlier at approximately 3:30 a.m. Challengers started their day at the “Campside Cafe,” where they could grab coffee and lattes before heading out. After returning from the trail, they were able to unwind at the “restoration station,” soaking their feet in a nearby creek, enjoying refreshments, and connecting with their fellow challengers.
It’s a small reflection of what makes the 14er Challenge so special: the challenge is individual, but no one takes it on alone.
“It was just like this spirit of girl power and confidence and moving your body in a way that feels good and supporting each other,” Meg said. “That’s what this whole experience is about.”
A Challenge Community
For some participants, the 14er Challenge has become an annual tradition.
Five repeat participants signed up this year, creating a unique community of people who share a willingness to push themselves, support one another, and give back to Girls on the Run.
The 2026 participants ranged from their 20s to their late 50s, demonstrating that there is no single type of person who takes on a 14er Challenge. There is just the excitement of trying something hard and a desire to support girls along the way.
For first-time participant Barbara Vuyk, the appeal was straightforward: an adventure, a challenge, and a way to support an organization she believed in.
As she hiked through the Collegiate Peaks, she found herself thinking about the experience as one she would remember for years to come. Most importantly, she hopes the girls who benefit from Girls on the Run take away the same lesson she did: “If you set your mind, you can accomplish it!”
A Bigger Purpose
The physical challenge is only one part of the 14er Challenge. Participants also make a fundraising commitment to help make Girls on the Run programming possible. That impact gives every step on the trail a bigger purpose.
For Alina, fundraising and hiking were connected by the same belief that first drew her to Girls on the Run: girls deserve the opportunity to discover their strength, surrounded by people who believe in them.
“I’m a volunteer who feels deeply committed to this mission,” she said. “Girls on the Run has shown me first-hand what happens when you give girls the space, encouragement, and community to believe in themselves.”
Sometimes moving mountains means reaching a 14,000-foot summit. Sometimes it means taking one more step when your legs are tired. Sometimes it means asking someone to believe in you when you’re not sure you can do it yourself. But whether you’re a challenger taking on a Colorado trail or a GOTR girl gearing up for her first 5K, the message is the same: you are capable of more than you think, and you don’t have to do it alone!
Ready to Move Mountains?
Inspired by these challengers and ready to move mountains of your own? Learn more about how you can take on a fitness challenge and fundraise for Girls on the Run at the same time here.
