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Walking Opportunities

 

Local Walking Calendar at www.meetup.com. 

Search for "Kazoo Walkers"  Join meetup.com and be part of our walking community.

 

KVW Training for Fitness & Racewalkers

Winter Walk Class - Ten week class on Sunday afternoon from January to March at the Portage YMCA, Portage MI.  Fitness & racewalking techniques & coaching. 

Date:  January 10 - March 14, 2010 

Locations:  Portage YMCA, 2900 W Centre Ave, Portage MI. 
Times:   Sundays from 12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. 
Description:  The class is for all ages and levels of walkers and conducted indoors with warm up drills, demonstrations, walking workouts, technique coaching and stretching.
 
The KVW Coaches are Bill Reed, three time national USA Track & Field age-group Race Walker of the Year, and Thelma Fallows, USA Track & Field Race Walk Judge and Youth Coach.  Both coaches, along with other members of KVW, are active competitors who place in both Michigan and National level races including Senior Olympics.
 
Registration: Fees for  KVW and YMCA members is $54. The non-member fee is $76. Call the Portage YMCA to register at 269-324-9622. 

 

COMMUNITY WALKING OPPORTUNITIES

 Be visible. Wear your KVW club attire at community events.

 

American Volksport Association (AVA)  6K and 10K hiking/walking events on trails and in urban areas.  

Fit MI Annual free fitness program in Greater Kalamazoo.  All physical activity counts.   You choose your activities and  when and where.   Form or join a team (6 or more)  or do it yourself.  Fit MI begins annually each Spring.  More details at www.FitMI.org

GazelleSports Event Calendar

Nordic Pole Workouts and Clinics: Contact  GazelleSports 269-342-5996

 

Nature Trail Events

Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo. Check KNC event calendar for g (uided nature walk details at www.naturecenter.org or walk the beautiful trails unguided. Admission fees.

Kalamazoo Valley River Trail (KRVT) - Events hosted by Kalamazoo County Parks Dept.

North Country Trail - Chief Noonday Chapter Trail includes Barry County, Calhoun County and Kalamazoo County (near Augusta MI). 
  

General information about organized races:

Be visible. Wear your KVW club attire at community events.

  1. Race flyers/registration forms are often available online or at Gazelle Sports store on the downtown Kalamazoo Mall.
  2. Most 5K run/walk races are fundraisers with a registration fee. Pay early to take advantage of the lower registration fee.  Save more money by not accepting the T-shirt offer. 
  3. Charity walks may be of a longer distance than a 5K race and are untimed. Charity walks are requesting donations in lieu of a registration fee.
  4. Arrive early to park, register or turn in donation, and to collect your race packet.  Some events offer registration and pickup the day before the race.
  5. Pin your bib number to the front of your shirt with at least 3 pins to keep it from flopping.
  6. Walkers line up behind the runners at run/walk events or start a few minutes later.
  7. Many races are timed with an electronic chip attached to your shoe laces to provide you with accurate timing of your performance based on when you cross the start and finish lines.
  8. Races and charity walks usually provide water stations along the route and refreshments at the end of the race.
  9. Awards:  It is the custom at most events to give the top walkers awards similar to those given to top runners.
  10. Remember your race goal is to achieve your personal best.