2000miler: 50/50 Raffle for Finish Date

Now you can bet on which day I will finish the Appallachian Trail! I've been working all year saving up money, and I'm applying for a loan, but in order to raise some funds (and have some fun), I'm having a 50/50 raffle. For $5 you can buy a ticket and choose a day. The closest day (without going over) wins half of the pool, and the other half goes towards supporting me on my hike. Here's some information to help you bet:

First, the rule is "closest without going over", so if you bet June 30th and I finish on June 29th, you don't win, but if I finish on July 1st (and nobody else bet on July 1st) then you do win.

But when am I planning to finish?

I'm hiking from Springer Mountain Georgia to Mount Katahdin Maine, a distance of 2176.1 miles. The average thru-hike can last anywhere from 4 to 8 months. Since I am starting early (on January 14th), I could finish as early as May, however, access to Katahdin is denied until all the snow has melted from the summit (this usually happens around May 31st). I need to be at school next September, so I won't be finishing after that. Basically, you're best with a date between June 1st and August 1st.

If two or more people bet on the same date and win, the winnings will be split evenly.

Finally, betting will finish on April 1st, at which point you'll just have to wait and see.

The following dates have been bought:

August 10th -- Natalia S
August 7th -- Eva C
August 1st -- Robin S
July 30th -- Jim & Gina
July 29th -- Michael L
July 16th -- Adele L
July 13th -- Joan V
July 12th -- Susie M
July 8th -- Joan V
July 7th -- Lisa Y
July 4th -- Jim & Gina
July 1st -- Chris L
June 29th -- Susie C
June 21st -- Kevin H
June 17th -- Doone M
June 16th -- Jim & Gina
June 13th -- Eva C
June 11th -- Patrick L
June 10th -- Tom C
June 7th -- Margaret C
June 4th -- Susan C
May 31st -- Michael L
May 28th -- Jim & Gina

Pool: $110.00
Jackpot: $55.00

Enter the Raffle:

Also, some folks have expressed concern that I will "throw" the bet by walking faster or slower to help people out. I am hiking my own hike, and will finish when I bloody well want to. But if you still want me to finish on your day, I accept bribes in the form of Hamburgers and Kraft Easy Mac (just kidding). No, really, I won't throw the results. I believe in the mantra "hike your own hike" and I am doing this to escape from outside pressures.