By Richard Zowie
Walkers from all over America will descend onto Fredericksburg’s streets for the American Volkssport Association’s 40th anniversary, Friday through Sunday, June 10-12.
These three days of local activities include walks along with bicycling and swimming events.
The anniversary weekend activities are open to the public and include several 5K or 10K walks Friday through Sunday as well as a 25K bike ride and 300-meter swim on Saturday.
Achievement awards will be for sale at the events on June 11.
AVA’s first sanctioned noncompetitive walking event was here on June 13, 1976, and was organized by the late AVA founding father and Fredericksburg citizen, Rev. Kenn Knopp.
In German, Volkssport means “sport of the people.”
Anyone of any age can participate in these outdoor activities.
Christine Handy
Breast cancer survivor Christine Danis Handy will speak at the Saturday dinner at Sunday House Inn.
She will share her experiences and how walking helped her survive cancer.
Married with children and splitting her time between Dallas and Miami, Handy authored “Walk Beside Me.” This book is a fictional depiction of her illness and long road to recovery, and it was released today.
Familiar face
Dr. David Toth was the first president of the American Volkssport Association, and he is scheduled to be at the June 4 activities.
Ellen Ott, president of the Converse-based Randolph Roadrunners Club (part of the AVA), said the Hill Country is a “wonderful place” with a “well-kept secret” regarding places to walk. There are also walking areas in Comfort, Kerrville, Llano and Mason.
“Volkssport essentially takes you places you’ve never gone,” she said.
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