Hopkinton – The Walk “n Mass Volkssport Club welcomes the public to its traditional group “Soup Walk,” which will be held Saturday, April 14 in Hopkinton. The walk is non-competitive and participants are encouraged to walk at their own pace along a prescribed route. Walkers are offered a choice of walking one or two 5-km (3.1 mile) loops. All participants are invited to join in the soup social after the walk.
The first loop includes the official Boston Marathon starting line, explores the quaint downtown area, and traverses through cemeteries and residential neighborhoods. An alternate route is available bypassing the cemeteries, where dogs are not allowed. The second loop of the 10 km passes the town's schools, athletic fields, and the football field, which transforms into an Athlete's Village used for the staging and organizing the runners on Patriot's Day.
The start point for the walk is the St. John the Evangelist Parish Center, 20 Church St, Hopkinton. Registration times are 9:30 to 10 a.m. for 10 km walkers (those walking both loops) and 10:30 to 11 a.m. for 5 km walkers. The walk routes are mostly on paved surfaces suitable for strollers, but would be difficult for wheelchairs due to a few slight inclines. Leashed pets are welcome, but clean-up laws apply. However, pets cannot be allowed in the dining hall.
Volksporting events promote “Fun, Fitness, and Friendship” by providing walking and other non-competitive events free to the public. Volkssporting also offers an achievement awards program. For further information, call 508-429-3564, email [email protected] or visit www.ava.org/clubs/walknmass.
