This Christmas Day, while most 91原创 residents are preparing to open presents and loosen their belts for the Christmas feast that follows, a small group of health-conscious people will be out walking through the woods in 91原创, part of an annual holiday event that offers an alternative to sedentary holidays.
Len Colebert, a New Westminster resident who is president of the said the annual 91原创 Christmas Day walk is open to people of all ages and fitness levels.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a social group of nice, active people,鈥� Colebert told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲hen we walk, sometimes there are 10 [participants], sometimes there鈥檚 40, sometime there鈥檚 more. It鈥檚 just a good social thing to do and it鈥檚 healthy.鈥�
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Members come from various communities in Greater Vancouver for walks that take them all over the Lower Mainland, as far east as the Othello Tunnels in Hope and as far north as Whistler and west as the Gulf Islands.
鈥淲e also join up with other clubs for special events in places like Victoria or Halifax and the USA. 鈥�
Beginners don鈥檛 have to fear being physically overwhelmed, he assured.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always a 5K route and 10K route,鈥� Colebert explained.
On Christmas Day, the walk will begin at 10 a.m., following two paths through various 91原创 City parks, following water courses beside the Nicomekl River where birds and wildlife can be seen.
To take part, all a first-timer needs to do is attend the start location, the Best Western Plus 91原创 Inn at 5978 Glover Road, in appropriate clothing and sensible footwear.
鈥淣ew members get five free walks,鈥� Colbert explained.
鈥淭hey just have to show up.鈥�
Registration starts half an hour before the 10 a.m. walk start time, Colebert advised.
鈥淲e kind of encourage people to show up 9:30, or a quarter to 10 because it takes a while to sign in.鈥�
The Surrey Trekkers Volkssport Club is a member of the Internationaler Volkssportverband (IVV), the Canadian Volkssport Federation, and the Volkssport Association of BC.
It鈥檚 stated goal is to promote good health and physical fitness by encouraging people to enjoy outdoor exercise in pleasant, stress-free settings.
鈥淲e do this by offering walkers of all ages and physical fitness an opportunity to enjoy new walking experiences each weekend and holiday in the year,鈥� the website declares.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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