Every run, swim, ride and race

Join us for the 25th annual US FreedomWalk Festival 16-18 October 2026!

The US FreedomWalk Festival® is a weekend, non-competitive, social walking challenge bringing participants of all ages and abilities together for fun, fitness, and international friendship. There are three themes to the annual event:

Fitness through walking

Learning about US history and freedoms

Making friends from all over the world

Truly a Volksmarch to remember!

The event was created in 2002 to welcome walkers from all over the world to the nation's capital city in friendship. This walking event is hosted by Arlington County, Virginia and US FreedomWalk - AVA Club 901. Arlington County has been named a Gold Level Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. The County is one of 15 communities nationwide to have received this level rating.

The walk is a three-day civil and military, noncompetitive walk for everyone. It promotes friendship and education about the United States and other countries. This is not a charity walk.

On Friday, experience Arlington Virginia hospitality with a short "Welcome Walk" on Friday afternoon. By the way, in 2022, Arlington was named one of the five Walk Friendly Platinum Communities in the U.S. along with much larger cities like San Francisco and New York City.

The Saturday trails go along National Mall, and all three branches of the federal government depending on the distance selected by the participants.

Sunday's trails Washington National Cathedral, memorials, and through Georgetown depending on the distance selected by the participants.

Start at your leisure each day during the start period and walk at your own pace. Everyone must register at the start location.

This is a family event for all ages. You choose your desired course based on your abilities and personal desires. The walk is for your health.

The event is co-hosted by:

IML Walking Association

AVA-America's Walking Club

US FreedomWalk - AVA Club 901

Arlington County, Virginia USA

Event details and schedule

This years event will be held 16-18 October 2026. It is our 25th Year!

Trails

Each day features a different walk available only on that day. At noon on Friday, join in a Welcome Walk west of the Potomac River. Friday’s trails are 5 and 10 km long (3 / 6 miles). All sports participants must finish by 6:00 pm.

The opening ceremony will be held at 4 pm on Friday.

Saturday’s 6/12/21/42 km (3 /6 /12+ miles) will begin at 8 am. The walks go along National Mall, and all three branches of the federal government depending on the distance selected by the participants. All sports participants must finish by 6:00 pm.

Join in a group social on Saturday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm with a DJ and cash bar.

Sunday’s 6/12/21km (3/6/12+ miles) walks begin at 8 am. The walks go by the Washington National Cathedral, memorials, and through Georgetown depending on the distance selected by the participants. All participants must finish by 4:00 pm.

The closing ceremony will be held at 3:00 pm.

Note: Pre-registation runs through October 9, 2026. Registration fees increase $5 on day of event (n/a IVV Credit Only).

Enjoy the beauty of Fables and Feathers vineyards while logging some miles with friends and supporting the furry friends at Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center! This beginner-friendly four-mile route winds in and around the vines and property at Fables and Feathers, and the epic finish line of sipping and socializing awaits you! Rather than traditional timing for this event, Wine 4 Wildlife 4-miler overall male and female winners will be crowned based on closest to their PREDICTED FINISH TIME. That's right, all participants who wish to be eligible for the prediction run prizes will leave all watches/phones/devices at the start line and wind through the vineyard without any technology. Participation in the prediction run challenge is optional, but you must denote prior to race day whether or not you wish to participate in the challenge. The male and female participants closest to their predicted finish time will win a prize package from Hoka and our friends at Fables and Feathers Winery!

ALL finishers receive a limited-edition Wine 4 Wildlife wine-stopper medal- then present your medal at the tasting room for a free glass of Fables and Feathers wine! Additional tastings and purchases available onsite. Tasting room stays open late just for us, let's thank our event hosts at Fables and Feathers by supporting their small business! Event merchandise will also be available for purchase as well so bring your trail shoes and your thirst for fun- it's going to be a great day to walk, jog, run, and have fun for a great cause! Don't forget, our event overlaps with the Christmas in July event at Fables and Feathers so wear your festive Santa gear and earn $20 in store credit just for displaying your holiday spirit!

Race into Summer with =PR= Run & Walk's Youth Running Camp!

Unleash your inner runner! =PR= Run & Walk - RVA invites young athletes to join our FREE Youth Summer Camp. Inspired by the vision of founding camp coaches Bill Kelly & Rosie Schutte, we're creating a community where everyone can discover the joy of running. This camp is about more than just fitness; it's about building confidence, making friends, and finding the fun in movement.

Who's Ready to Run? Young runners entering grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 are invited to join the adventure! Please note: Campers should be able to run a continuous mile to fully participate in the training.

Where's the Starting Line? We'll be based at a local Chesterfield County Middle School Complex, taking advantage of the track, spacious fields, and scenic paved trails of the surrounding neighborhood. *more details can be found below.

When Does the Fun Begin? Mark your calendars for July 13th-17th, Monday-Friday (weather permitting). Drop-off is from 7:40-7:45 AM, and pick-up is no later than 11:30am.

What's in Store for You?

Run, Learn, and Thrive: We'll cover the fundamentals of running, improve your conditioning, and teach you healthy habits for a lifetime of movement.

Expert Coaches: Our experienced coaches, including local runners and certified professionals, will provide personalized guidance and support in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. You'll be grouped with runners of similar abilities.

Inspiring Speakers: Hear from experts on a range of topics, from choosing the right running shoes to understanding nutrition for athletes and preventing injuries. We'll also explore the exciting world of high school and college running.

Community Connection: We're passionate about building a strong and supportive running community. Our camp reflects =PR= Run & Walk's mission to make running accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Safety First: We'll have certified medical/CPR/First Aid staff on-site to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all campers.

How to Join the Fun?

This amazing camp is FREE! However, registration is required.

Space is limited to 100 campers, so register early to secure your spot! Note: A waitlist will be available if the camp fills up,

Location: Our camp will be hosted at a local Chesterfield County Middle School. Location TBA once permit is issued by Parks & Rec 90 days prior to camp. *Registration will open on April 1, 2026.

Weather Policy: All activities are outdoors. In case of inclement weather, activities will be canceled, and you'll be notified by 7:00 AM that day. Please check your email regularly!

Important Information for Campers:

• Campers should be able to run a continuous mile.

• Please be on time for drop-off and pick-up. Runners not picked up by 11:30 AM may not be able to continue in the program.

• Respectful behavior and adherence to coaches' instructions are expected.

Let's hit the ground running together this summer!

#YouthRunning #YouthRunCamp #CommunityRunning #PRRunWalk #GetActive #SummerFun #MidlothianVA #RunRVA

The 2026 High-Performance Distance Academy is scheduled for July 13th to the 18th, 2026.

The focus of the camp is training and is recommended for motivated runners. All abilities are welcome; the only requirement is the desire to be better. Camp Website: www.CrossCountryRunningCamp.com

HOUSING AND DINING | All campers will eat, sleep, and live in the same manner as a student-athlete at Virginia Tech. Campers will be housed in an on-campus air-conditioned Tech dormitory located close to training facilities. On-campus dining facilities will feed our campers and are only a short walk from both the dorms and athletic fields. Meals are all-you-can-eat and have an impressive variety of culinary styles and options to choose from. Virginia Tech’s Dining Facilities have been ranked #1 in the nation for college campuses for several years!

TRAINING WEEK | Training will be based on individual experience. Our goal is a motivating and meaningful week of camp without injuries or over-training. Most days of camp will include two-a-day runs, but each run provides athletes with a choice between three distances and or often an option for yoga instead of running. Campers will also complete a pool workout, circuits, plyometrics, and daily strength training. Run routes throughout the week include time on the Virginia Tech Cross Country Course, Jefferson National Forest, and a vast network of trails surrounding Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus. There will also be plenty of free time to rest and hang out with new friends or jump into games of beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or pick-up basketball. Additional camp-wide activities in the past have included Mt. Lake recreation area, river tubing, hiking to the picturesque Cascades waterfall, and a day on the beach at Claytor Lake.

ELIGIBILITY & COST | Girls and boys entering grades 8th – 12th are eligible to come to camp, whether you are new to the sport of running or a seasoned veteran. We also allow graduating high school seniors entering their freshman year of college to attend camp, as long as the participant is under the age of 19 when camp starts. Middle school-age campers can attend camp but are strongly urged to have an adequate training base before attending. A $75.00 deposit is paid when registering and then the remainder is due when you receive your packet in late June. The cost of attendance is as follows (the deposit is subtracted from the total). So the prices below include the deposit.

Athlete - $775.00 ($760.00 for 5 or more of the same team, $745.00 for 10 or more!)

Commuter Athlete – $625.00 (includes breakfast, lunch & dinner/ NO room)

Sunday early drop off (July 12th) - $160 additional fee; includes lunch, dinner, campus room, and chaperone coverage.

Coaches – $705.00 ** Coach free with six athletes and assigned camp position. Another coach can also come with 12 athletes.

Commuter Coach- $550.00 (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner/ No room) **

ATHLETES CHALLENGED | The goal of the Academy is to challenge each athlete and get them started off on the right foot for the summer. We don’t do 100-mile weeks, but we do train smart. With the help of the counselors, athletes choose both which runs to do and how far to go during each run. Given all of the options, a typical week of camp accommodates around 18 miles for beginners and up to 60 or more for experienced athletes. The campers will run with some of the best distance runners in the country and learn to train their way. we want everyone to leave the Academy motivated, excited, healthy, and ready for a great season.

STAFF | The High-Performance Staff is one of the best groups of any camp out there in terms of ability, experience, enthusiasm, and excitement for the sport of running. Past editions have included Olympians, NCAA National Champions, NCAA and High School All-Americans, Footlocker and NXN finalists, and experienced and successful college and high school coaches. With a counselor-to-athlete ratio of just over 1:10, athletes truly get an unbeatable level of time commitment and guidance they deserve from an incredible staff.

INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE | A hallmark of High Performance is the individuality provided to each of our campers. With our high counselor-to-athlete ratio, athletes can spend a lot of time getting to know their counselor and often continue to be mentored long after the conclusion of camp. Many of our counselors also return year after year and can continue guiding their past campers on an even more individualized basis. The week is capped off with a one-on-one meeting discussing each athlete’s specific goals and offering advice not only in the sport of running, but also in academics, recruiting, and life in general. Typically ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours apiece, these meetings allow campers to bridge what they’ve learned at camp to their own lives. Athletes leave camp with a personal evaluation of their physical skills (running form, general strength, endurance, etc.), goals, and words of encouragement from their counselor.

TIME FRAME | One of the biggest praises received from the coaches of our campers is the time frame during which camp takes place. Most running camps take place at the end of the summer just before the start of the cross-country season, a time that is too late to start training to have a successful season. High Performance occurs much earlier in the summer in hopes of getting athletes motivated to start training sooner in the year. Over and over again, we hear from coaches whose athletes have attended camp and show up to the first day of practice in great shape because of the training that continued after the conclusion of camp. They enter the cross-country season with a solid base and are ready for a great season as a result.

LOCATION | Blacksburg, Virginia is repeatedly chosen by multiple publications as both one of the Best Small Towns to Live In and the Best Place to Raise Children throughout the United States. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Blacksburg offers ideal running weather dominated by warm days and cool evenings, as well as ideal running terrain at 2000 feet above sea level with both rolling hills and mountain climbs often dipping over 3000 feet. The Virginia Tech campus connects to extensive bike paths and trail networks and is surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest. During camp, athletes will have the opportunity to run on a grass cross-country course that played host to the 2012 and 2019 ACC Championships and 2024 VHSL State championships. Campers will also partake in a hill climb run and hike at Mountain Lake where the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed, and where Lance Armstrong won a stage race during the 1995 and 1996 Tour DuPont. This area of the country is an incredible

place to train!

VIRGINIA TECH | Virginia Tech has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country marked by the famous Hokie Stone buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and historic tradition in strong academics and athletics. Athletes will be housed in one of Tech’s residence halls, giving them a feel for what life is like in college. Virginia Tech is famed for having one of the finest food establishments in the nation after being ranked #1 nationally for college dining. Campers will eat at Dietrich Dining Hall, which offers a wide variety of choices to keep athletes eating healthy and often!

WE RUN and HAVE A LOT OF FUN! | In between training, we will hike, swim, and play plenty of beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, basketball, and giant soccer. Camp is capped off with a talent show full of laughs and, of course, forming lasting relationships with new friends from around the country. It truly is an incredible week!