The Northwest Nebraska Trails Association and several other partners will bring the third annual Northwest Nebraska Volksmarch to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument this spring.

The event will take place May 18, with 5K and 10K walking options available starting at the Agate Fossil Beds visitor center.

Volksmarches, a non-competitive form of fitness walks, became popular in Europe in the 1960s.

While this is the third year for the Northwest Nebraska Volksmarch, it represents a step forward for the organization and sanctioning of the event. The Northwest Nebraska Trails Association has worked with the Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers out of Omaha for the last two years to bring volksmarching to the region. However, NNTA is now a recognized member of the American Volkssport Association and can sanction events on its own.

“The Northwest Nebraska Trails Association is excited to be able to independently sanction and host volksmarch events,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp, who serves as the volksmarch club manager for NNTA. “We are grateful for the training and support we’ve received from the Trailblazers the past two years. Our initial events drew more than 50 participants each from across four to five states. The volksmarch trails and the annual event is a great way to learn more about the trails across Northwest Nebraska, the mission of NNTA and the region as a whole.”

In addition to the May 18 volksmarch, NNTA has three sanctioned walks that can be completed at any time. The trails at Agate Fossil Beds are sanctioned as a seasonal volksmarch, while volksmarches at Chadron State College and along the White River Trail are sanctioned with year-round availability. Walkers can complete the walks and get their stamps through an online process at ava.org or by stopping at the Chadron Chamber of Commerce and asking for the volksmarch start box.

Pre-registration for the Northwest Nebraska Volksmarch May 18 is not required but is open at https://bit.ly/3vugnOb. Enter Harrison as the starting city to navigate to the Northwest Nebraska Volksmarch page. Those who register by April 29 will receive a free t-shirt. Registration will also be available the day of the walk. The cost to walk is $4/person; children in strollers are free. Participants can begin their volksmarch anytime between 8-11 a.m. and must report back in by 2 p.m.