A Nordic Walking Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Grindelwald, in Switzerland's magnificent Jungfrau, region hosts the fifth annual Eiger Nordic Walking Event tomorrow. It's kind of pointless to provide registration material right now, because it is tomorrow in Europe. However, the image above conveys a big reason why many of us love Nordic Walking. This happens to be an organized event, but that route at that scenery were great today and will great the day after tomorrows too.

Nordic Walking Coming to New York State Nordic Fest

Jamestown to hold its seventh annual festival, and Nordic Walking will be offered

The seventh annual Scandinavian Folk Festival will take place on the campus of Jamestown Community College on the weekend of July 18-20. Along with Viking-iana (photo of beached Viking ship is from the 2006 event), vendors, dance performances, crafts, musical entertainment and food ("all the pickled herring you can eat," the organizers promise), introductory Nordic Walking is now on the program and will be available for attendees to sample.

Since Nordic Walking is rooted in the soil of Finland, Norway and Sweden, it is a natural that it would be part of a Scandinavian event. The popular festival, originally held in September or October, has now been moved to mid-summer. Pete Edwards, who is single-mindedly passionate about fixed-length poles, will bring a quiver of his poles for festival-goers to "test drive," will talk about walking with poles and also will conduct introductory SkiWalking sessions on Saturday and Sunday (19-20).

Admission is $6 on Friday afternoon/evening, $8 all day Saturday or Sunday, and $15 for a weekend pass. For other information, contact the festival coordinator at 716-484-0415.

Twin Cities = Nordic Walking Central

Classes and group walks for all levels offered in Minnesota's two largest cities

In the world of Nordic Walking, the European continent -- especially the Alpine countries, Germany, Scandinavia and also resort areas in southern Europe are unquestionably #1. The runnerup in #2 spot is that "offshore island" of Britain, where walking along thousands of miles of footpaths has been a longstanding tradition and doing so with poles is catching on fast. IMO, #3 is the entire national Canada, which offers abundant Nordic Walking opportunities from the Maritimes to Vancouver Island. And in the US, where Nordic Walking opportunities are scattered and spotty, I'm beginning to think that the Midwest in general and the Twin Cities in particular rank as #4.

I've previously written about Twin Cities opportunities offered by Hoigaard's, the area's leading locally owned sporting goods store offering Tuesday classes throughout the summer, and Nordic Walk This Way with classes on various days and various venues in the area.

I've just heard from Amy Okaya, whose Nordic Walk for Life! has a full calendar of Intro-Intensive classes on select Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings, and Tuesday beginner and Monday intermediate classes from July 7-8 to August 11-12. Venues include White Bear Lake in the Tamarack Nature Center, Central Park and Roseville. Okaya also leads group walks on first Sunday and (during the summer) the third Thursday of each month. Contact Okaya at info@nordicwalkforlife.com for details on how to register -- or whether you just need to show up.

Okaya has also been conducting Nordic Walking clinics through REI, the remaining one for this spring scheduled for the Roseville store on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Register by calling 651-635-0211.

National Trails Day -- Today!

American Hiking Society launched NTD 15 years ago to encourage trails appreciation/use/work

I had every intention of writing a post about National Trails Day early enough for interested visitors to this blog to plug it into their June 7 calendar, but I frankly forgot. Still, I'd like to draw your attention to this worthwhile way of celebrating, using and volunteering to help maintain America's precious 2000.000-mile network of recreational trails early enough to encourage Nordic Walkers to participate in their communities.
Fifteen years ago today, June 7, 1993, the American Hiking Society's first National Trails Day took place, a result of a 1987 report by the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors recommending "that all Americans ought to be able to go out of their front doors and within 15 minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps," explains the AHS's website.

The recommendation, called Trails for All Americans, spurred a public and private consortium that joined American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993. It is now celebrated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Guam and the Virgin Islands and includes some 1,100 events that include dedications, hikes, bike rides, horseback trail rides, paddle trips, trail maintenance projects and many other activities organizing and hosted by local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, outdoor retailers, land trusts, and many other businesses and organizations. Check your local newspaper to see whether a National Trails Day activity is being held in your community that you can still join. And I'll try to post something with a bit more notice in 2009.

On-Going Program Near Keystone, CO

In most places, National Trails Day is just that: one day. But in the Rocky Mountain high country, where winter is long, snow lies deep and summer arrives with a fury of plant growth, attention to trails takes more than a day. Many organizations recruit volunteers for weekend or weeklong summer trailwork in the backcountry, and Colorado's Keystone Resort and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) are using National Trails Day to kick off a summer program that is designed to help maintain a sustainable trail system, while enabling guests to learn about responsible trail use and ethics, forest regulations and values, trail safety, and environmental stewardship.

In addition to today's project, maintenance of the Acorn Creek Trail, 2008 dates for FDRD’s upcoming dates are:

July 12 - Pulling For Colorado (Invasive Weed Pull )
August 7 - Clean Up at Arapahoe Basin
August 9 -Fuels Reduction for Fire Mitigation
September 6-7 -Webster Pass Trail Maintenance
September 13-14 - Meadow Creek-Lily Pad Lakes Trail Maintenance
September 20-21 - Webster Pass Trail Maintenance
September 27 - National Public Lands Day and FDRD Volunteer Celebration Day and Project

Volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from the trailhead, personal gear including food and water, hiking gear, boots, work gloves, rain gear, sunscreen and appropriate outdoor clothing. Pets are not permitted. Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. FDRD provides informational materials and educational components for volunteers. To contact FDRD directly, call 970-389-6058.

Keystone Resort guests get discounted lodging the night before their project on the resort's Volunteer Stewards Give and Getaway Package. There is no requirement to stay overnight at Keystone, but if you wish to, call Keystone reservations at 800-468-5004. IMO, the one-night 15 percent lodging discount is not overwhelmingly lavish, especially if more than one person in a room or condo is devoting an entire day to trailwork, but it's better than nothing -- and maybe the resort will see fit to throw in a box lunch for volunteers.

200 Volunteers Build Boulder Area Trail Project

I am adding this postscript on Sunday, June 8, after reading a story called "Volunteers Build Picture Rock Trail" in today's Camera, reporting that in just five hours, some 200 volunteers constructed an 8,400-section of the Picture Rock Trail to connect Heil Valley Ranch with the town of Lyons. The paper said that if was Boulder County's largest-ever volunteer trail-building project.

Nordic Walking Intros in the Midwest

In Michigan for seniors and in Minnesota for anyone 16 and older

A free Nordic Walking intro is among several components of the upcoming Leelanau Senior Expo, to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 17 at Suttons Bay High School in Suttons Bay, MI. Since the activity is referred to as "SkiWalking" and since the local newspaper included, "One-piece walking poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles," it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to deduce that Pete Edwards will be introducing his American Nordic Walking System. The Senior Expo will other information, a free lunch and also a free ride if necessary. For details, call 231-941-2324.

An intro to Nordic Walking technique for ages 16 and older is this evening between 5:30 and 6:30 at the Three Rivers Park District's French Regional Park, 12605 Rockford Road, Plymouth, MN. There probably won't be time to pre-register for this impending class. Another intro is planned for June 7 to coincide with National Trails Day. If that won't work either, call 763-559-6700 to find out when the next will be.

Nordic Walking in British Columbia

Overlapping events at Canadian resort include Nordic Walking; ongoing training elsewhere in BC

Current Event

Yesterday's E-mail included a June calendar of events at Whistler, BC, announcing two events that begin today (May 31, 2008) and include a Nordic Walking introduction. Whistler Wellness Week (through June 7) features a full schedule of indoor and outdoor mind/body/spirit workshops and classes. The three-day fifth annual Every Woman in the World Conference continues only through today and tomorrow and includes primarily physical and fitness activities. Classes and topics overlap. I'm not sure what the relationship between the two is, and I certainly wish that I had been aware of this sooner to give you a little forewarning. However, assuming that these are offered annually, consider them for next year.

Lynn Kanuka, Canada's top middle distance runner of the '80s and co-founder of the Every Woman in the World Conference, herself leads the Nordic Walking class. In her competitive years, she held Canadian women's records at her distances, currently works at SportMedBC as the InTraining sports program coordinator for people getting ready to participate in run/walk events and has four children.

Recently Past Event

SportMedBC, dedicated to promoting health and wellness to people in the province, incorporated Nordic Walking as part of its training sessions leading up to such footraces as the 10K Vancouver Sun Run, which welcomes Nordic Walkers in its walking division. The 24th annual Sun Run took place on April 20, registering more than 59,000 runners and walkers. I'm afraid I'm a day late and a Canadian dollar short in alerting you to the Whistler programs and also the Sun Run for 2008, but they will presumably take place again in 2009. This year, walkers with and without poles comprised some one-third of the field. I wish I had 2008 Nordic Walking results for you, but the best I can do is include the photo (right) to show Nordic Walkers were part of the action.

Future Classes

Vancouverites who want to get started Nordic Walking now can join Metro Vancouver Parks' series in North Vancouver’s Lynn Headwaters Regional Park this summer. The clinic runs every Sunday morning from July 6 to August 31 between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. The cost per participant is $90. Contact Janey Chang, janey.chang@metrovancouver.org.

BC Races That Prohibit Nordic Walking Poles

With all this good news for Nordic Walkers in British Columbia comes the thumbs-down word that poles are not yet permitted at all events. An outfit called TrainHarder, which purports to be "a community resource and news site for both serious and recreational endurance athletes in British Columbia," is organizing (or at least promoting) five footraces in the province this summer. Nordic Walking poles are prohibited at all of them. This is a real shame, because the distances as short as 5K and no longer than 22K lend themselves to Nordic Walking.

Nordic Walk Part of New Brunswick Trails Event

Nordic Walking and geocaching included as Canadian provinces celebrates trails

June is Recreation and Parks Month in the Province or New Brunswick, with June 7 set as International Trails Day. Recreation New Brunswick, New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. and Sugarloaf Provincial Park are planning a festivities at the park from 10:oo a.m. to noon to highlight the province's various recreational opportunities that use its many public trails. Among them are introductions to Nordic Walking and geocaching, plus a biking event and seniors' walk. That same day, in Fredericton, dedication ceremonies for the new Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge will take place at 2:30 p.m., followed by Nordic Walking and geoccaching demonstrations, a seniors' walk, children’s activities, a barbecue and a community band concert.

The New Brunswick Trails Council, a non-profit, membership/volunteer organization, works for the betterment of trails by helping local trail sponsors build, maintain, and promote trails. Recreation New Brunswick is a network of recreation professionals involved in leadership, education and advocacy, influences public policy to promote recreation and active living.
For more information on either of these events, call the Trails Council at 800-526-7070.

30th Annual Bolder Boulder -- But No Nordic Walking

Poles, dragons, strollers and other "outriggers" not permitted

When people have asked me why I haven't blogged about the Bolder Boulder, one of the nation's premier 10K road races that passes within a few blocks of my home (and which I have walked), I reply that I don't normally blog about events that exclude the Nordic Walking option. This Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) marks this landmark race's 30th anniversary, so I'm making a exception.

The Bolder Boulder is a one-note wonder -- one distance for world-class elite runners, citizen runners with qualifying times in previous events, other runners, joggers, jog/walkers, walkers and wheelchair competitors. It is organized in start waves, winds through the streets of Boulder and finishes in the University of Colorado's stadium. There are no shorter distances, fun runs or other ancillary events -- except for the traditional race expo and the Boulder Creek Festival that goes on throughout the long weekend.

Although the race excludes Nordic Walkers, dragons, strollers, baby joggers, cell phones, boom boxes (there's plenty of entertainment along the course), iPods, MP3 Players and other items considered distracting and/or dangerous, some 50,000 people are expected to participate. You can still register online or even on race day. Advance registration is $48-$58, depending on what kind of shirt you select. In-person registration at 29th Street offers additional options. Entrants 14 and under and 62 and older get $10 off. Race-day registrations are $5 more than the base.

I hope, someday, to post a blog item indicating that poles are permitted for all or most of the race. Meanwhile, happy 30th -- and good luck and great times to all who enter.

Wellness Fests in the West

Western resorts host festivals, with Sun Valley's including a footrace that welcomes Nordic Walkers

The word "illness" has been in the English vocabulary forever, but "wellness" is newer. It is now understood to encompass a variety of proactive health maintenance habits, spiritualituality and various types of healing. Mysticism, meditation, prayer and other spiritual practices are also components of wellness, as are proper nutrition, exercise and the mind-body-spirit connection.

Ancient Eastern and more recent New Age philosophies and practices are major at the 11th annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival, May 23-26. Admission ranges from $60 for a day pass to $230 for a platinum pass that includes preferred seating to presentations by Dan Millman (The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, A Peaceful Warrior's Way) and Alberto Villoldo (Courageous Dreaming). Wellness Specialty workshops range from A (Annemarie Holmes on "Earth Spirit Living: Bringing Heaven and Nature into your Home") to Z (Jamie Zimron on "Golfing Power") and cost from $20 to $250 (the latter for two golf days).

While yoga, Feldenkrais, Gyrokenesis and the like are featured physicalities at this Idaho festival, Nordic Walking probably should be included as well, because it is such a fitting component of the exercise part of mind-body-spirit. Therefore, of special interest to Nordic Walkers is the concurrent the fourth Annual Sun Valley/Ketchum US Half Marathon. The run/walk event on May 24, starting at the base of Dollar Mountain and following a picturesque 13.1-mile loop course from Sun Valley Village through Elkhorn and Ketchum using much of the Wood River Valley bike path, is open to Nordic Walkers.

Online race registration through May 23 is $25 for 5K, $40 for 12K, $55 for the half-marathon and $5 for the Kids MaraFUN for ages 4-9. Walkers are permitted to use poles, and if they select the half-marathon distance, they must complete it within three hours.The finish line festival will feature music, food and beverages and a race awards ceremony. Runners and walkers are invited to "enjoy a moment of Zen at the Wellness Festival with workshops and products of mind, body, and spirit." Such a harmonious convergence of two approaches!

Down south in Colorado, the Snowmass Wellness Experience, August 15-17, will cover similar topics -- but without the footrace component. It bills itself as "a summer weekend of whole living & wellness" that includes the diverse and holistic fields of nutrition, spirituality, wellness and science. The schedule, list of presenters and costs are not yet available.

The nearby Aspen Center for Integral Health will host a five-part Summer Health Series between June 18 and August 4. The “Mind and Matter: New Discoveries in Mind-Body Connection” will explore new research, innovations and discoveries in the mind, brain and body that illustrate the importance of the mind-body connection in the quest for optimal health that is vitally important to our health as individuals, families and communities. Individual lectures are $10; adding a Meet the Speakers” wine reception following the lecture increases the price tenfold to $100. Summer Series Pass good for all lecture and receptions is $450.

Nordic Walking Events in Switzerland

Big Swiss walking event slated for late August

A current thread on David Downer's British-based Nordic Walking eCommunity has a current thread started by one member who is trying to assemble a list of marathons and other distance footraces that permit or encourage use of poles. I've contributed those that I know about, which I've posted here since I began this blog. Bob Wright, who lives in Switzerland, posted, "Here in Switzerland we have events which include Walking /Nordic Walking practically every weekend." He recommended Datasport as a resource.

He also wrote that of the "events just for W/NW's the biggest of which is the Swiss Walking Event held in Solothurn this year on August 31 over distances from 6 Km. to Marathon" with more than 6,000 walking and Nordic Walking participants. His estimate was actually a bit short. According to the website, some 6,700 walkers participated in 2007 (down somewhat from the 7,335 in 2006) at distances ranging from 6 to 42 kilometers. Forty-two kilometers is the marathon distance. The website, in German and French, includes an online registration page (click on "Anmeldung" in German or "Inscription" in French).

Major Nordic Walking Events in central Germany

Two upcoming Nordic Walking events -- one soon, one in October

Nordic Walkers are major participants in the 36th annual Rennsteiglauf, one of the largest (if not the largest) cross-country running and walking events in central Europe -- cross-country meaning not in an urban setting. It attracts some 15,000 participants on course along the Rennsteig, an ancient path through the Thüringer Wald (Thuringian Forest) of east-central Germany.

Various distances from half-marathon down are included. The Thüringer Waldquell Nordic Walking Tour starts at 8:20 a.m in the Kurpark (spa park) at the „Haus des Gastes“ in the town of Oberhof with the finish 17 kilometers later in Schmiedefeld, with finishing-line festivities. There are many small ups and downs, with the course profile revealing a start at about 800 meteters and a high point of less than 1,000 meters. As a green bonus, a tree will be planted in toe Thuringen Forest for every Nordic Walker who starts the Rennsteiglauf.

I'm sorry that I didn't know about this earlier because it might already be too late to register online for this May 17 event, and for anyone in North America, it is probably too short notice anyway. However, if you are going to be in Europe, specifically in Germany, in fall, also consider the sixth annual Thüringer Nordic Walking Day on October 4, 2008. More recreational and without the mix of runners and and pole-less walkers, this dedicated day includes a 5K novice distance (entry fee, 5 €), a 10.8K circuit (8 €) and an advanced 18K course (8 €). Additionally, there is some kind of access fee (3 €) and optional fitness test (5 €) and pole rental (3 €).

If you like to plan ahead, Rennsteiglauf events with a Nordic Walking division are already set for 2009 and beyond. In fact, while most of the extremely comprehensive website, including transportation information and online registration, is in German, there is an English page that includes the dates through 2015. Additionally, you can request specific answers to specific questions that you might not be able to puzzle out on a contact page or send an E-mail directly to info@rennsteiglauf.de. Ask in English, and the reply will come in English.

Nordic Walking Added to Midwestern Foot Races

Walking with poles now permitted at three Midwestern events, including the Birkie Trail Run-Walk

The 36-year-old American Birkebeiner is the gold standard of citizens' cross-country ski races. Some 9,000 Nordies from 19 counhtries descend on Cable, WI, each February. The newer snow-free version called the Birkie Trail Run-Walk is held in September, and this year, Nordic Walking at the half-marathon distance is being added -- and I thank Ed Urbanski for alerting me to it.

It is called the Birkie Trek, and its debut on September 20 is both big news and good news for Nordic Walkers in the Midwest -- both seasoned competitors like Urbanski, who skied his first winter Birkebeiner in 1975, and new Nordic Walkers who want a goal to shoot for. There are also shorter walking distances wrapped into the Birkie Trail Run-Walk.

The Birkie site explains:

"The new 21K Birkie Trek is a non-competitive, untimed Nordic Walk with
poles modeled after European Volksmarches. Participants, age 16 and
over walk the trail over this half marathon distance. Food and beverages
will be available at the finish area. Also expect music and lots of door prizes.
Plan to be part of this fun event at a great time of the year at a fantastic
site.

"Several partners including Hoigaards, REI and the Berkeley Running Company will
be holding Nordic walking clinics and group walks this summer."

Hoigaard's Linda Lemke is leading Nordic Walking Tuesdays in the Twin Cities area. Ed is planning to offer Nordic Walking Clinics at REI in Brookfield, WI, where he works part-time. The Berkeley Running Co. in nearby Madison does not yet have a Nordic Walking event on their calendar, but they organize a number of running groups, so check if that is a convenient store for you.

Ed also alerted me to "Nordic Walkers Come Out Swinging," an on-line article in Silent Sports that bills itself as the "Upper Midwest's Aerobic Recreation Magazine."

And Rhea Kontos of the Twin Cities' Nordic Walk This Way alerted me to two shorter, earlier events in the Midwest that are now permitting Nordic Walking. She wrote, "I contacted the directors and they have given their blessing. NWers have to start in the rear of the pack is all. I've been telling all the NWers I've been training about them as well as other trainers, such as Linda Lemke and the trainers at the SweatShop in St Paul, MN." Those are the 5K Get In Gear on June 7 in Bloomington, MN, and the Heart of Summer 5K and 10K in Richfield/Minneapolis on July 26. event.

It's good to have scouts in the Midwest giving me the heads-up. So thanks, Ed and Rhea.

Nordic Walking Comes to Idaho

Canadian master coach establishing Nordic Walking beachhead in Idaho and Oregon

Fittrek master coach Lori Adams (formerly Lori Clinch of Victoria, BC, and now a.k.a., Health Adventure Coach) is bringing virtually customized Nordic Walking programs groups and individuals in the Treasure Valley of western Idaho and eastern Idaho. She offers private and group instruction, demos, classes, programs, adventures and excursions throughout the Treasure Valley, from Boise to the western Treasure Valley communities of Ontario, Nyssa and Vale, OR. She works with Nordic Walkers of various ages, physical conditions, interests and goals. To book a session, contact her at 208-452-3698 or by E-mail, (tvnordicwalkingadventures@gmail.com or lori@health-adventure-coach.com).

She also recently presented free demos in an all-day program at the Caldwell YMCA and is launching a series of four classes from April 22 to May 13 at 9:00-9:55 a.m. each Tuesday. If there is sufficient demand, an evening class series might be added. To inquire if and when Adams will present another introduction and/or series of classes, contact Candy Kober, group exercise coordinator for the Caldwell Y at 208-59-2498, Ext 663, or by E-mail, candy.kober@ymcatvidaho.org.

Coming up on Saturday, May 10, is the Nampa Health Fest featuring some 65 vendors and exhibitors, including Adams and her Nordic Walking program. It will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Idaho Center, 16200 Idaho Center Boulevard, ID. A free A Family Fun Walk begins at 9:45 a.m.; participants can sign up Saturday morning before the walk begins. If you have poles, bring them. If you don't, connect with Lori during the day and find out about them.

Nordic Walking Instruction at Wisconsin Charity Walk/Run

Wisconsin sports shop schedules Nordic Walking clinic

I have not Nordic Walked off the edge of the planet. I've been traveling -- first to Death Valley, which is very minimally wired, and now to California for a conference that leaves little time for blogging. I'm trying to catch up on news and happenings from the Nordic Walking world.

One of the first things I found was an article in the Wausau Daily Herald about Bonnie and Perry Dau, owners of an online aerobic sports retailer called Revel Sports, who plan to offer Nordic Walking lessons for up to 25 individuals at the Arts Alive! Kathleen Gaynor Ferris Memorial Run/Walk coming up this Saturday, April 12. (BTW, click on the article in the Daily Herald for a neat photo of Nordic Walkers striding on a cleared path between to impressive snow banks.)

"The Daus plan to rent out about 30 pairs of poles for the race at $3 apiece, raising more money for the event, which will benefit Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services," according to reporter Amy Olson. "Bonnie said she took up the sport after giving up running when she developed arthritis in her ankle."

In addition to an ongoing informational video about Nordic Waking, registration for the event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Baer Beverage, 7205 Zinser Avenue, Weston, WI; with instruction beginning at about 10:15 a.m. For information, call 715-847-2380 or 800-847-4707.

Ultra-Walking: An "Ultra-mate" Challenge

Upcoming ultra-walking endurance walking event; poles permitted

We've all heard the phrase "shop till you drop." With no rhyme but a lot of reason, "walk till you drop" could describe a global series of endurance walking events for good causes of the participants' choosing. An upcoming Boulder UltraWalk event on May 30 is part of a series organized by the Global Games Group. They are not tied to a particular distance, and participation numbers vary by site. In Boulder, one group of a maximum of 25 walkers will walk on a loop course of about 3.7 miles. The group stays together, with each participant walking as long as he or she wants to walk or can walk.

Motivations vary. Some people want to test themselves over many hours of walking. Others are drawn by the social component. The event's motto is "Walk. Talk. Make new friends. Have fun." Still others want to use it to train for 24-hour and other ultra-races, the definition of "ultra" being beyond the 26.2-mile marathon distance. This is a new concept in walking competitions that do not have a time limit or given distance.

Unlike race walking, there are no judges to monitor specific style or technique. Participants may walk, Nordic Walk or jog, or mix techniques. The goal is not speed, but endurance. The group will move at a comfortable pace, which usually begins at about 3.5 miles per hour without stops and averages a bit over 2 miles per hour, including a mandatory 10-minute stop per loop for restroom, food, first aid or a brief rest.

The first took place in Germany in September 2007. In this short period, organizers have selected 2008 and 2009 sites. The 2008 World Championship is scheduled for Las Vegas on December 3, pitting the four top finishers in each race against each other. One of these Extra Mile Endurathon races is scheduled on May 30 for Boulder, the only small city on the roster. (This event, incidentally, is the opening walking event for Boulder's Walk and Bike Month in June, because while it starts in May, it will surely spill over into June, which begins just 31 hours later.) The other venues are major cities around the world, many that have hosted the Summer Olympics. The calendar is already plotted out through March 2011.

The rules are pretty simple, and participation is free. Basically, participants must be 18 years and older, must stay together and must not stop to sit down or sleep on the course. The simplest rule is that the last person standing (and walking) wins. If the winner has another mile in him or her, s/he wins $1,000. The 3.7-mile Boulder route will loop along the Creek Path and Pearl Street and last for as many hours as the contestants themselves last. In Buenos Aires in 2007, two participants walked for more than 102 hours. The Argentine capital is at sea level. Let's see how competitors do at 5,400 feet. At the initial U.S. event in Las Vegas last November, two of the the 20 participant lasted 31 hours, which should be fairly easy for some athletic Boulderites to surpass.

I checked with Alexander Skora, who organizes the events globally, and Boulder race director Ulrich Kamm about using poles. Kamm's reply, "There is nothing against using your poles at our Boulder event. We always stay together as a group. But everybody is free to use her/his style: Nordic walking, slow jogging, hiking, or whatever. We just have to make sure that we don't 'interfere' with each other or with other trail users, especially when getting tired." He should know what works and what doesn't. He has been running and walking ultra-distances for 40 years. Read his ultra-resume and be inspired, even if you don't aspire to such feats.

2008 Winter Trails Day a Roaring Success

Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing intro drew 11,250+ participants to 80 venues.

Winter Trails Day 2008 attracted more than 11,250 participants at approximately 80 US locations. That is was a 25 percent increase over 2007, when just over 8,000 attended, even though organizers pared the number of locations from 120. Look at those numbers again: about 4,250 more people at 20 fewer sites.

Winter Trails Day is a free-to-the-public event coordinated by SnowSports Industries America (SIA) in conjunction with the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) and the American Hiking Society (AHS). "Free" meant use of equipment and often a guided snowshoe walk was offered at no charge. It is put on to attract newcomers to the pleasures of winter sports. In my view, snowshoeing is an ideal cross-over activity for Nordic Walkers.

The vast majority of venues hosted Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 17, and while cross-country skiing was also available at the Nordic Centers, most of the participants tried snowshoeing. Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, CO, and the Campbell Creek Science Center near Anchorage, AK, held theirs a month later. RMNP hosted the largest event, a snowshoe-only introduction on February 16 that drew more than 1,000 participants.

If you live in the snowbelt and haven't yet tried snowshoeing, keep your eye on this blog or in your local paper for next year's dates.

Photo by Biege Jones, Winter Trails Day.

Snowshoe Race and Tour in Upcoming Governor's Cup

The 20th annual Colorado Governor's Cup features strong snowshoeing component.

Two decades ago, and three Colorado governors ago, the Governor's Cup was created as a competitive cross-country ski event. It is now an example of 21st century winter sports diversity with snowshoe racing added and both ski and snowshoe races and tours as part of the program -- not surprising with its strong ties to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.

The 20th annual Governor's Cup, now sponsored by Wells Fargo, returns to Devil's Thumb Ranch near Winter Park this Saturday, February 24, beginning with 8:00 a.m. registration (on-line registration is also possible until the 22nd). The 5- and 10-kilometer snowshoe racers respectively do one one or two laps on a packed 5K rolling loop. Snowshoe racers compete for $550 prize money in the 10K ($100, $75, $50 to the top three male and female finishers, plus a $50 lap-crossing premium). Both race distances begin at 10:00 a.m.

The 5K snowshoe tour is just plain fun -- filling fun if you wish. It takes off immediately after the snowshoe racers and follows the same 5K loop course, but tourers are wa-a-a-ay more likely than competitors to stop at the feed stations serving coffee, chocolates, and cookies. The event will be followed by an optional barbecue. Everything culiminates at the 2:00 p.m. awards ceremony, which is hopefully early enough to beat the worst traffic over Berthoud Pass and on I-70.

Call 800-933-4339 for details, including entry fees for the race or the tour.

Swiss Connection for NWers

My reent visit to Switzerland confirmed my perception that this country is incredibly enthusiastic about Nordic Walking. So I was happy to learn about Meet2Move, a Swiss online community for folks interested in active sports -- and that, of course, includes Nordic Walking. Even though the site is available "only" in German, French and Italian, most Swiss are conversant in English too. It coesn't taken exceptional language skills to find an instructor by postal code (PLZ) of the city or resort you are visiting and check out the calendar of Nordic Walking events throughout the country.

Another connection can be via the English Forum, which includes posts on many topics including finding companions for Nordic Walking and other sports.

Winter Trails Day, Part Deux -- In Colorado Only

Free snowshoeing demo this weekend.

Winter Trails Day, an opportunity to try different brands of snowshoes and poles and to join snowshoe walks, takes place acrsoss the snowbelt in mid-January. Colorado and only Colorado also hosts a second Winter Trails Day each year. It will take place this Saturday, February 16, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Bear Lake intercept lot in Rocky Mountain National Park. The quickest access is from the Beaver Meadows entrance station on the east (Estes Park) side.

Snowshoe manufacturers' representatives and staffers from REI will again be on hand to help you gear, and volunteers lead snowshoe walks so that everyone can get the feel of the snowshoes on a real trail, not just tromping around the event site.

While the snowshoeing is free, regular park entry fees or a valid National Parks pass do apply. My advice is to get there early because there is a bit of paperwork to fill out or near the end, because people do tend to drift out. In mid-event, there are usually waits and lines to try gear. I don't know what goodies will be offered this year, but usually there are free energy bars, free hot drinks and a prize drawing of some kind.

Registration Open for Tahoe Marathon Weekend

Discounts now for Lake Tahoe Marathon Weekend; some events are open to walkers and poles are OK.

Registration is open and 20 percent discounts are in effect through January for the Lake Tahoe Marathon Weekend (September 24-28). Categories available for joggers and walkers as well as runners are the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and 20K power walk -- all scheduled for Sunday. Last year, Nordic Walking was permitted. For questions not answered on the website, call 530-544-7095.