What is "edit-a-thon"

In the online communities of projects such as Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, and LocalWiki an edit-a-thon (sometimes written editathon) is an organized event where editors edit and improve a specific topic or type of content, typically including basic editing training for new editors. They often involve meetups, but can be distributed as well. The word is a portmanteau of "edit" and " marathon".

Wikipedia edit-a-thons have taken place at Wikimedia chapter headquarters, accredited educational institutions including Sonoma State University, Arizona State University, The University of Victoria in Canada; as well as cultural institutions such as museums or archives. The events have included topics such as cultural heritage sites, museum collections, women's history, art, feminism, narrowing Wikipedia's gender gap, social justice issues, and other topics. Women and African Americans and the LGBT community are using edit-a-thons as a way of bridging the gap in Wikipedia's sexual and racial makeup. Some have been organised by Wikipedians in residence. The longest editathon took place on Museo Soumaya of Mexico City from June 9 to 12, 2016, where Wikimedia Mexico volunteers and museum's staff edited during 72 continuous hours. This editathon was also recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest.

The OpenStreetMap community has also hosted a number of edit-a-thons.