Home

How to join the Kalamazoo Valley Walkers

To join KVW, click on Membership Application button (on the left). Overview Kalamazoo Valley Walkers Club (KVW) was established in 1991 to support walkers in southwest Michigan. We are fitness walkers, competitive race walkers, nordic pole walkers and hikers. We are a volunteer 50l(c)3 organization whose members actively support walking efforts in their communities. KVW Forms Club - 1991 Kalamazoo Gazette Article KVW is an affiliate club of USA Track & Field (USATF) and American Volksport Association (AVA). KVW is also a member of Walking Together of Greater Kalamazoo and partners with Gazelle Sports, Borgess Run and Portage YMCA. We actively support local efforts to improve fitness through walking, We sponsor the USATF Michigan Association 5K Race walk Championship at Borgess Run and Fit 2007 community activity program. Each January - March, KVW offers a 10-week race walk and fitness walk training with coaching in partnership with the YMCA. Our members include everyday walkers, USATF national age group winners, National and Michigan Senior Olympic winners, and USATF certified race walk judges. Purpose of Kalamazoo Valley Walkers KVW seeks to:

  1. Help walkers achieve and maintain fitness for good health,
  2. Offer race walkers competitive challenges and ways to improve their speed and technique,
  3. Inform walkers on where to walk or race via email and website,
  4. Support social aspects of walking by offering the opportunity to form new friendships,
  5. Partner with community organizations to increase walking events and places,
  6. Be advocates for the enhancement of the walkability of our communities,
  7. Work with school districts and malls to identify indoor places to walk in the winter,
  8. Provide information for those who walk to raise awareness for charities, political, or social issues.

The KVW seeks to be an advocate for walkers of all types. The club does not discriminate based on age, occupation, race, religion, sex, or any other factor. It does however, seek to foster walking rather than jogging, running, or other pedestrian forms. We invite you to join us.