26th Concept2 Holiday Challenge a Success

In our 26th year, the 2025 Concept2 Holiday Challenge was yet another prosperous event. We are endlessly grateful for our extraordinary Concept2 community and for everyone who has participated in this year’s Holiday Challenge, and over the past 26 years. 

During this year’s Holiday Challenge, 19,493 people from 105 countries put in just over 6.1 billions meters between American Thanksgiving and Christmas. That is about 154 trips around the earth! In total, we raised $62,004.90 — surpassing last year’s fundraising efforts. Also to note, 25 participants accumulated over one million meters in the 28 day span!  

Launched in 2000, the Concept2 Holiday Challenge was created to help athletes stay accountable during the indulgent holiday season—especially those without a rowing team or club. It also gave on-water rowers a way to remain competitive in the offseason and offered winter athletes a chance to stay sharp ahead of their racing season. What began as a simple challenge quickly grew into Concept2’s most popular annual event. 

In 2008, Concept2 introduced a charitable giving component to the Holiday Challenge, initially supporting a single organization. This later expanded to offer participants a choice of up to five charities each year. Selected organizations have aligned with Concept2’s core values, supporting critical causes including clean water, food access, environmental stewardship, and meaningful responses to pressing global and current events. Each year’s lineup typically includes one local Northeast organization, one to two national charities, and one to two international initiatives. This year, we are pleased to support our four beneficiaries with the following donations thanks to all your meters:   

• $11,032.86 KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) 
• $20,247.67 Northern Forest Center 
• $17,369.68 Oxfam America 
• $13,354.69 ValorFit 

Shown here are staff from the Northern Forest Center, one of the four charity beneficiaries of this year's Holiday Challenge. Thank you all who logged meters and helped support during the Holiday Challenge.

Historically during the Concept2 Holiday Challenge, larger charities raise the most funds, while the smaller regional charities are a close second. That was not the case this year though, as the Northern Forest Center, a local organization, raised the most funds. Kristen Sharpless, the Director of Development for the Northern Forest Center, stated, “Concept2’s partnership directly supports the Northern Forest Center’s mission to help rural people and places thrive. Their contribution allows us to invest in communities across the Northern Forest—supporting local leaders, strengthening forest‑based economies, and helping communities build vibrant places to live and work. As a regional organization working across four states, funding like this helps us turn locally driven ideas into lasting, on‑the‑ground impact.” We were thrilled that several Northern Forest Center staff participated in the challenge. Kristen also shared, “These funds will not only impact current projects but also emerging work. They strengthen ongoing initiatives in areas like housing, downtown revitalization, outdoor recreation, and forest‑based business development, while also positioning us to respond to new opportunities as communities identify them. Flexible support allows us to adapt to local needs and invest where it will make the greatest difference.” Thanks to the dedication of our community, Concept2 is proud to have donated $778,240.01 to charitable causes through the Holiday Challenge since 2008. 

For those who are interested in making an additional personal donation to our Holiday Challenge charities, please send your donations directly to the organization of choice. You can find information on how to donate on each charity's website using the links above. Thank you for your generosity!   

Participants who completed 200,000 meters or more (and selected a charity to donate to and provided their current shipping address) can expect to receive their Holiday Challenge pin prize in late February or March, depending on your location.   

We are truly humbled by the passion and dedication of our Concept2 community. The turnout for the 26th Holiday Challenge was a testament to that, and we are honored to continue this holiday tradition with all of you. We wish you good health and many meters in the new year and hope you will join us for more challenges in 2026!