Set both your training and vacation goal at the same time - choose a special major walking event in an interesting locale.
Marathon: It takes six to nine months to properly train for a marathon. Choose a walker-friendly marathon in a fun locale and make it your destination as well as your training goal.
Walker-friendly marathons
Marathon Training
Multi-day Walks: The IML International Walking Association (formerly International Marching League) hosts one sanctioned multi-day walk in each of its member countries. These events require a minimum distance of 20 kilometers each day for 2-4 days to earn the IML stamp. Shorter distances may be available. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer or the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks are charity events held in several cities in the USA requiring approximately 13-26 miles a day for 2-3, with participants raising $1800 for breast cancer.
IML International Walking Association Breast Cancer Walks
Travel Tips
Arrive a couple of days in advance of the event to get used to any time change or difference in climate and altitude.
If you drive yourself a long distance to attend the event, give yourself a day to recover from the muscle-tightening effects of driving.
If you fly, be sure to drink enough water to rehydrate yourself - flying takes a lot of fluid from your body.
Avoid alcohol in the day before the event.
Do not change your diet - eat what you have been eating in training as much as possible. Wait until after the event to sample the local specialties.
Give yourself a full day after the event to recover before doing any heavy sightseeing or returning home.
Budget
Marathons generally are in the $50 US price range for registration, usually including the medal, certificate, and a t-shirt.
International Marching League events are generally in the $15 - $20 US price range, which includes the medal and certificates. Any t-shirts or other memorabilia are extra.
Free travel: Walk a marathon for charity or the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk to get perks such as free training, air fare, lodging, and meals. You must raise a certain amount of donations in return.
Marathons for Charity
Walking Festivals
A walking festival or walking convention will offer many walking events, but they do not require the training needed for a marathon or multi-day walk. Instead, you can concentrate on enjoying locale and meeting walking friends at the walks, workshops and socials.
These festivals are open to everyone - member or non-member.
AVA Convention: Every two years the clubs of the American Volkssport Association's Convention brings together walkers from around the world for nine days of walking and fun. The walking events are open to anyone, and anyone may attend the full convention to also enjoy renowned speakers, workshops, and socials.
AVA
AVA Walking Festivals: The regions and local clubs of the AVA host special walking events and festivals throughout the year. Walks offered during the festivals are a standard 10 kilometer distance (6.2 miles), with shorter and longer trails also available.
AVA Walking Festivals
CVF Annual General Meeting: The Canadians spend a long weekend each year conducting their volkssport association business and enjoying walks, workshops and socials.
CVF
IVV Olympiad: Held every two years, this international walking festival draws walkers from around the world for walking, biking, and swimming.
Travel Tips
Dress is casual at walking festival workshops and most social events. A clean t-shirt and a shower will do just fine. Sometimes a more formal banquet is also offered
You do not need to be a member or a club representative to attend these festivals and conventions, the general public is welcome.
You can usually participate in the walking event separately from the conventions or festivals themselves.
These festivals are a great way to make new walking friends from around the world.
The walkers attending usually know what other walking festivals and walking destinations are the best -some come to research your next walking vacation.
Budget
AVA events are inexpensive. Walkers can often simply walk for free or $1, with optional event awards in the $5-$10 range for each walk.
Convention registration: For local festivals there is usually no fee or a small fee of under $15, with separate fees for any barbecues or banquets. For the national conventions, fees are generally in the $50-150 range and include some socials or lunches in addition to workshops and speakers.
Travel arrangements to the festivals are generally made on your own.
Lodging: the festivals will often have a headquarters hotel plus a list of many options in the local area, including RV parks and camping.
As you make walking friends, ask about home stays in the area to which you are traveling.
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