Set your goal for these great walking events in Canada and the USA in from July to October.
July 19, 2008. From the folks who produced the Willamette Valley Relay, this new version is open to either individuals or teams of two to six people to walk 30 kilometers. The event starts in Eugene's Alton Baker Park, with great walking paths along the Willamette River.
Labor Day Weekend. Yearly morning stroll across the Mackinac Bridge, Michigan. The walk is free, but you'll need $2 for the bus to return. Running is not permitted - walking only! The bridge is 5 miles long, the walk begins in St. Ignace, at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula, and ends in Mackinaw City at the south end in the Lower Peninsula. Also sanctioned by the AVA/IVV.
Arlington, Virginia, October. The annual ROA-US FreedomWalk Festival is a two-day, family-oriented, non-competitive sport-walking event where everyone wins. This walk includes a variety of distances from 5K through ultra-marathon. The Friday trails explore walkable Arlington. Saturday explores Washington DC and the monuments. Sunday takes you to an embassy. Sanctioned by AVA/IVV and the IML Walking Association
Boston, Massachussetts. Annual marathon walk benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Eight thousand people walk 26.2 "miles of smiles."
Portland, Oregon, October. One of the friendliest marathons for first timers, whether walkers or runners. This big, well-organized event also includes shorter events - the 10K Mayor's Walk and the 5-Miler Racewalk. Since 2008 it has also included a Nordic Walking World Championship category. Sanctioned by AVA/IVV.
Late August, Oregon. Each year 400 teams of walkers and 1000 teams of runners hit the road in this relay race. It is an all-day, all-night, next-day social endurance contest for 127 miles. Form a team of 8-12 walkers, gather up 2 vans, choose a crazy name and hit the road! You can also register to fill in on teams looking for more walkers.
You have the choice of walking a marathon or half-marathon the first day, then all walk a half-marathon the second day, camping overnight in the Wellness Village. All meals, snacks, and trail support are provided. Each walker must raise a minimum of $1800 in donations to participate.
Sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Commit to walking 20 miles a day for three days, camping each night, and raising $2000 for breast cancer charities.
Walkers are challenged to walk approximately 20 miles or 30 kilometers a day for 2 days. They camp out Saturday night in a tent city. All meals, snacks, and trail support are provided. Each walker must raise a minimum of $2000 Canadian in donations to participate. Net proceeds go to cancer research centers in the host city.
