What is Volksporting?

The term volkssport literally means sport of the people. Participants include everyone from grandparents to grandchildren. Everyone who pays a registration fee and completes the required distance (at his or her own pace) is declared a winner and receives a medal, patch or other award. For anyone who wants to participate, but chooses not to receive an award, there is no charge.

A volksmarch is an organized walk designed to appeal to people of all ages. It is not a contest of speed and endurance. Each participant sets his own pace. Tired, stop for lunch, or enjoy a sit-down in the park. Everyone must complete the walk, however, by the finish time.

At the start of each volksmarch, walkers receive a start card and map. The card must be stamped at control points on the walk. At the end of the walk, participants exchange the start card and registration fee for an award, if available, or they will receive an award by mail in about 6 weeks.

In addition, walkers can register for mileage and event awards. Volksmarchers purchase IVV books to record each event or kilometer they walk. Awards are given after walkers record 10, 30 and 50 events and for every 500 kilometers walked (about 310 miles).

Volksmarching began in Germany, and was brought to this country by Servicemen who liked the friendly, relaxed walks throughout the German countryside. A volksmarch is a planned event, either on just one day or seasonal, throughout the year. The walks are often through interesting towns and cities or through nature areas. Volksmarches are rated from 1-5. A #1 rating is mostly paved, level walking suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, or wagons. A #5 volksmarch is very strenuous (like Rocky Mountain wanders whose club motto is "Up hill both ways").

In any case, the idea is to get out and go walking, whether you choose to do it for your health or to collect all those awards, too.

Enjoy!