The Rachel Carson Trail Challenge is a 34-mile, one-day, endurance hiking event, held in the spirit of the Alaskan Iditarod, the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Trail Run, and the various Ironman Triathlons held around the country each year. Sponsored by the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, it starts at the crack of dawn and will extend through the 34-mile roller coaster of hills and bluffs between North Park and Harrison Hills Park in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, ending as the sun sets under the horizon. The "Challenge" is to endure, to finish the hike in one day, rather than to "come in first" or "win". The 2009 Challenge will be held June 20, the Saturday nearest the summer solstice.