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Walkathon Software

Walkathon App with GPS and Step Tracking

ScanRaise walkathon software supports phone-browser GPS, a browser step counter, per-unit pledges, and optional participant-reviewed Fitbit daily-summary imports. Stripe securely saves pledged payment methods, and ScanRaise attempts each capped charge only after eligible activity is finalized.

Start an Athon

Still choosing an event structure? Compare walk-a-thon event formats and planning choices.

Walk-a-thon

Per-lap or per-mile pledges for walk events.

Run-a-thon

Track distance or laps for running events.

Swim-a-thon

Count laps in the pool, collect per-lap pledges.

Read-a-thon

Log pages or minutes read over a set period.

Math-a-thon

Pledge per problem solved in math challenges.

Dance-a-thon

Per-song or per-hour pledges for dance events.

Bike-a-thon

Track miles pedaled, collect per-mile pledges.

Jump-a-thon

Count jumps or minutes for jump rope events.

Climb-a-thon

Track elevation or routes for climbing events.

Spell-a-thon

Pledge per word spelled correctly.

Paddle-a-thon

Per-mile pledges for kayak or canoe events.

Anything-a-thon

Define your own unit and track anything.

Walkathon software tracking options

GPS distance tracking. A participant opens a private tracking page in a phone browser. The tracker records route coordinates and calculates distance. Server-side review can flag a submission for organizer review.
Browser step counter. A participant can opt into motion-sensor step detection on a supported phone browser. No ScanRaise app is required.
Fitbit daily-summary import. For a supported distance or step campaign, the participant connects Fitbit, selects a day, reviews its summary of steps, distance, and active minutes, and chooses whether to import it. Optional Fitbit imports require a Fitbit account and app.
Manual log. For read-a-thons, study-a-thons, math-a-thons. Students log pages, minutes, or counts daily on their phone. Donors pledge per unit. Same honor-system tracking as paper read-a-thons, just digital.
Organizer manual entry. For a sensor failure or another reviewed exception, an organizer can record a manual result in Athon Manager. Participant manual entry is available only when the campaign uses a manual unit.

Participants can optionally connect Fitbit, select a day, review the daily summary of steps, distance, and active minutes, and choose whether to import it.

Phone browser GPS and the phone step counter remain the primary paths. A timer or manual entry is available according to the campaign unit.

See it on a phone

This is exactly what participants see. Try the interactive demo →

Maplebrook Elementary PTA
Sarah M.
Walk-a-thon 2026
📍
Tracking: GPS Distance
Start Tracking
Start
Recording
1.24
miles
12:34
Excellent GPS
📍 GPS Path Active
Stop
Track

Activity Complete!

Miles1.24
Duration12:34
GPS points87
Path statusConsistent
ModeGPS
Submit Activity
Results

Activity Submitted!

1.24 miles recorded

Total: 3.54 miles

Verified
Verified

How it works

Create a campaign and pick your unit - miles, laps, pages, problems, minutes, or anything custom.
Donors visit the fundraiser's page and pledge per unit ("$2 per mile") or donate a flat amount.
Participants open the tracker in their phone browser and tap Start. Depending on the campaign unit, they use GPS distance tracking, the step counter, a timer, manual logging, or an optional participant-reviewed Fitbit daily-summary import.
Activity is checked server-side using speed analysis, GPS path consistency, and spoofing detection. Suspicious activity is flagged.
Stripe securely saves each sponsor's card at pledge time without charging it. After the organizer finalizes eligible activity, ScanRaise attempts each per-unit charge, never above the authorized maximum. Failed or authentication-required charges remain visible for follow-up.

What donors see

Donors choose flat donation or per-unit pledge. Both on the same page.

Maplebrook Elementary PTA
Sarah M.
Walk-a-thon 2026
Flat Donation
Pledge Per Mile
$
2.00
per mile
Maximum total (required)
50
Your name
Grandma Rose
Email (required)
grandma@email.com
Stripe securely saves your card. No charge today. After eligible miles are finalized, ScanRaise will attempt the charge, up to your maximum.
Continue to Secure Card Setup
Pledge Tab

Pledge Confirmed!

You pledged $2.00 per mile (max $50.00) to support Sarah M.

Stripe saved your card securely without charging it. After eligible miles are finalized, ScanRaise will attempt the charge, up to your authorized maximum.

Confirmation sent to grandma@email.com

Confirmed

Activity review signals

Speed review. The server evaluates segment and average speeds and can mark a submission as suspicious for organizer review.
Path review. The server evaluates consecutive GPS points, timestamps, and accuracy data for configured review signals.
GPS review flags. Review signals include large location jumps over a short interval, a repeated straight-line pattern, and identical accuracy readings across enough points.
Organizer review. Submissions show verified, suspicious, or unverified status. Organizers can review GPS maps and flags before finalizing eligible activity.

What admins see

Real-time dashboard with GPS maps, verification badges, charge status, and visible recovery steps for failed or authentication-required charges.

scanraise.com/admin-athon?campaign=walk-a-thon-2026
47.3
Total Miles
12
Pledges
$94
Calculated
$47
Collected
FundraiserMilesSourceStatus
Sarah M.3.54gpsverified
Jake R.2.10gpsverified
Emma L.5.20gpssuspicious
Coach A.1.80adminadmin_logged
📷

Phone tracking and optional Fitbit daily-summary imports

GPS distance
Step counter
Reviewed results
Fitbit daily summary

Participants select a day, review Fitbit's summary of steps, distance, and active minutes, and choose whether to import it.

All activity tracking is opt-in. The campaign unit determines the participant method. An organizer can record a manual result for review when a sensor fails.

Current walkathon software facts

Item Current ScanRaise behavior
Standard platform fee2.5% per donation or completed pledge charge; payment processing is separate
Browser trackingPhone-browser GPS, step counting, timer, and manual units according to campaign setup
Fitbit optionParticipant selects a day, reviews the daily summary, and chooses whether to import it
Per-unit pledgesSecure card setup, organizer finalization, and charge attempts capped at the sponsor's authorized maximum
ScanRaise app requiredNo for browser tracking; optional Fitbit imports require a Fitbit account and app

Product behavior checked against the ScanRaise implementation on August 21, 2026. Event organizers remain responsible for reviewing submitted activity before finalization.

What people run with ScanRaise athons

School walkathon with GPS verification

Students walk laps around the school or neighborhood. GPS tracks their distance and route validation flags suspicious activity. Stripe securely saves sponsor cards without charging them. After eligible totals are finalized, ScanRaise attempts each capped charge and keeps failures visible for follow-up.

Swim-a-thon with reviewed lap totals

Volunteers or organizers review the completed laps and record each swimmer's total. Stripe securely saves sponsor cards without charging them. After eligible totals are finalized, ScanRaise attempts each capped per-lap charge and keeps failures visible for follow-up.

Classroom read-a-thon with per-page pledges

Students log pages or minutes read each day on their phone. Donors pledge per page or per minute. Teachers see a daily leaderboard, parents sign off the same way they would on a paper log.

Corporate step challenge

A company sets up a distance or step campaign. Employees use phone browser GPS, the phone step counter, or choose to import a reviewed Fitbit daily summary. The company pledges $1 per eligible unit and securely saves a card with Stripe without a charge at pledge time. After eligible totals are finalized, ScanRaise attempts the capped charge and keeps failures visible for follow-up.

Math-a-thon or spell-a-thon

Students complete problems or spelling words. Donors pledge per problem solved. Students enter their count and teachers can review.

Dance-a-thon or jump rope challenge

Participants dance or jump for a set time. The step counter or timer records the activity, and the organizer finalizes totals. Donors pledge per minute or per jump.

For school use, ScanRaise is listed in the SDPC resource registry and provides parental-consent and student-data controls designed to support schools' COPPA and FERPA obligations. Clever and ClassLink sign-in is available for enabled organizations, subject to provider and school or district approval. Compliance depends on each organization's configuration and use. See how we protect your data or read about ScanRaise.

Ready to run an athon?

Create your campaign online. Pick your unit. Start tracking.

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