Special or seasonal events, walks, runs, relays, marathons
Events by group events are especially for those who like company. Companionship, security, new friends, learning the outdoors, finding new places to walk, doing something different — the possibilities are endless. The focus is not always 'the walk'.
What's happening, by date is your chance to test your limits, to be competitive, to show your support, to fund raise, sometimes just to have fun! This page is a guide. It's not up to date as I haven't focused on it.
What happens in Whitehorse is that often people hike with friends. Some on a regular basis, other spontaneous. There are even informal walking groups, such as one that meets every Sunday having 5-20 people show up for hikes.
The A walker's point of view page can also give you some ideas on connecting with others. In particular you can use the Walking Trails PDF discussed next as a group focus.
Walking Trails PDF: I've picked a year of circular hikes at 1 hike a week — that's over 320 kms of walks! Labels on the front map link to individual walks. The pdf is large (14.5 mb) but the imagery is worth it. So far, I'm only chosing walks that can be done in loops; for a bit of background, look at An intro to loop trails and these other Irish trail publications. The maps are created for discussion. They are not provided to claim safe trails. No responsibility of conditions or accuracy is implied by presenting these maps. Observations, corrections and additions are very welcome. Improvements will come as people proof them, by walking them!
Events by group
ElderActive Recreation Association has a Walking Group
YFGA Yukon Outdoor Woman Program June 3rd, 2016 - June 5th, 2016
Yukon College walking group. Meets Wed and Fri at noon at the college bookstore for a .5 hour walk in the neighbourhood. Call 668-8800 for more information.
Yukon Outdoor Recreation Network (YORecNet) ... informal forum for organizing groups for outdoor activities, potentially a good way to find out about new places to go, share experiences, and maybe meet new people or do things outdoors with some people you know.
City of Whitehorse
Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre
Women's walking group held very Thursday from 11:45am-1pm. Meet at 503 Hanson. Call 667-2693.
Clubtread community, search "Seeking Hiking Partners" for Whitehorse
Hospice Walking Group Mondays September 9 - 29 6:00 - 7:30pm. Walk the Millennium trail as you receive and give healthy grief support. To register call 667-7429 or administrator@hospiceyukon.net
Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon (RPAY)
Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA)
- Downloadable audio walks and maps:
- YHMA's Building walk, Memory walk
- Boys & Girls Club of Whitehorse's Art Walks
ElderActive Recreation Association;
appeals to those who enjoy walking with others for exercise as well as the companionship and motivation.
Race Walking A dedicated core of race walkers train year round and take part in weekly timed 5K events from May through September. Many compete in the walking category of the Klondike Road Relay.
Environment Yukon
- Wildlife viewing events
Yukon Conservation Society
Weekly summer nature hikes
Alpine Club of Canada, Yukon Section
National Outdoor Leadership School, Yukon
Yukon Bird Club
The club has many field trips. These led events are a good learning experience, not only around birds, but also the environment. Lots of publications such as Ten great places to go birding in Whitehorse
Yukon Orienteering Association Orienteering combines running and navigation. They have many local maps and orienteering is good way to learn map reading and bush navigating. Overview map.
Mae Bachur Animal Shelter Love dogs and walking but can't have one at home, or just want to help out, contact us. Tues-Fri: 12 pm-7 pm; Sat: 10 am-6 pm
"Owners with dogs are more likely to speak to others, and the regular contact between the individuals provides mental stimulus, a vehicle for sharing community interests and support for those facing the grittiness of their everyday lives. A dog is also a perfect fitness partner." Living well together
Pathways to Wellness
The Yukon's wellness website explores many aspects of living healthily. For instance, not only is hiking in a group safer at times, it's also good for our mental wellbeing and fun, as seen in the website's walking in groups!
Yukon Outdoors Club (The club has disbanded)
What's happening, by date
Look at entries in Trail-related media
Health Canada's Calendar of health promotion days
Following are place holders. I don't always get to keep up to date, so where it is current, I'll put '2015'
Often just the date is correct as most sites haven't upgraded other event info.
Virtual walks
- *MS Walk, every step matters
- The RPAY walking challenge On the Right Path" is a fun, motivational, walking program where participants will virtually walk the historic Overland Trail from Whitehorse to Dawson City-526 kms.
- Steps to Positive Mental Health — Wednesday, May 6. Starts at 5 p.m. at Hellaby Hall, Fourth Avenue and Elliott Street; barbeque at 6 pm; annual general meeting 7 pm; www.yukonwellness.ca
- Trail-Fit (12 Classes / $155 ) City's spring 2015, Active Living Guide Push yourself to live life to the fullest and join this outdoor trail group fitness class. This dynamic and invigorating workout will constantly challenge your fitness levels. Please come prepared for all-weather conditions with appropriate clothing, footwear and water bottle. A PAR_Q and Release of Liability must be signed and handed prior to first class. Tuesdays and Thursdays May 12 – June 18 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm; Riverdale Intake Parking Lot & Millennium Trail
- Intersport 5 km Fun Run and Walk
Tuesdays May – end of September. F.H. Collins parking lot, 6 pm. Run or walk a 2.5 or 5 km course on the Millennium Trail. Timed 10-km once a month. Fee. - Friday-Sunday, May 2-5. Jane's Walk.
- *Friday, May 2. Law Day Charity Fun Run and Walk Celebrates the anniversary of Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Participants walk or run just over six kms around the Millennium Trail. Start: Tourism Information Centre, walkers start at 12:00 noon. Fee. Late registration at event 11:00-11:45 a.m.
- Sunday, May 4. Hike for Hospice Palliative Care
- Sunday, May 12. Run for mom, Mother's Day. Walkers are encouraged to participate. As a lead up, they offer a 5-week 'learn to Walk' clinic with 3 categories : beginner walk, recreational walk and power walk. All fitness levels are encouraged to attend.
- May 12 on Mondays and Fridays and runs for 6 weeks (12 seesions) : Quick Feet and Something to Eat” Nordic Walking; Time: 1:00 - 2:30, Location: RPAY 509 Hanson Street
- TBA Pancake Breakfast Come celebrate the arrival of summer with a walk, bike or jog to Shipyards Park for a Free breakfast. This City event runs from 7:00 - 9:00 am.
- Saturday, May 25. Haeckel Hill Run/Walk
Start: Icy Waters road off the Fish Lake Road; Registration: 10:00 am Start: 10:30am Fee
- Sunday, May 26, 2012. TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes/JDRF Annual Walk/Run for the Cure! Shipyards Park. Registration begins at 11:30 am and the Walk starts at 1:00 pm. This is a key fund-raising event for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and as such, each participant is encouraged to raise a suggested minimum of $100.
- May 31, 2015. Purina walk for dog guides; Rotary Park. Lions Foundation of Canada; Registration at 2pm, 5km walk at 3pm around the Millennium Trail. Free; walkers can collect pledges which go directly to Lions Club Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Program. Bring a dog, but not required. Goodie bags (for dogs), prize draw for walkers. Chris Nash at 633 5603.
- ???????. Relay For Life, noon to midnight, Shipyards Park. Teams of up to 15 people who participate in an overnight non-competitive relay. Participants take turns walking, running or strolling around a track. Teams consist of people representing corporations, communities, families and friends. Each team is asked to have at least one team member on the track at all times throughout the event. Fee.
- *Saturday, June 7. Air North, Yukon's Airline Runway Family Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast.
Airport perimeter (8.75km); 9 a.m. walkers, 9:30 a.m. runners. Start/end: Air North Admin building #150 Condor Road, pancake breakfast served after run with plenty of giveaways. Pre-register at Sport Yukon until Noon, June 1, Fee - Saturday, June 8. Cycle/run/walk for Autism. Robert Service Campground. Start: 11am - 5km run/walk/easy ride (Start: 9am - 60 km long ride; Start: 10am - 35 km intermediate ride) Fee is donation/pledges.
- Saturday, June 14: Yukon Pride: Parade @ 1pm (6th & Main to the Wharf), PSAC Picnic at Rotary Park at 2pm, Dance at the 202 at 9pm
- Tuesday, June 18. Grey Mountain Summer Solstice Run/Walk; meet at the upper parking lot on Grey Mountain Road Start Time: 6:00 pm Run or walk up to the towers and back, approx. 12 km; also a 5 km distance.
- Saturday, June 22. 1:30pm Pride Parade. Gather at 1:00 at Main and 6th. Part of 24 hours of GAYLIGHT. 335-7853, queeryukon@yahoo.ca.
- July 1. Canada Day Parade 11:00 am, from 4th and Main to Shipyards Park via 2nd Ave and Ogilvie St.
- Sunday, July 21, 2013; Parks Day - Family Fun BioBlitz; Pick up a special field guide at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site, then hike, bike or stroll Whitehorse's Millennium Trail. At BioBlitz activity stations along the way, biologists and artists will help you Get to Know some of your wild neighbours! Bring your camera. Games, food, prizes...
May
June
July
August
- Sunday, August 4. Yukon River Trail Marathon
Start/finish will be in Rotary Park. Walking category for the 1/2 marathon - mostly non-competitive at this point. Fee. - Monday, August 19. Yukon Wildlife Preserve Fun Run/Walk
Fund raiser
A fund raiser for the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation program. 5 km or 2.5 km. Fee. Registration at 9:30 am and race start time 10am. Pre-register at 456-7400 - Hospice walking group, Meet at Robert Service Campground. Mondays September 9 - 29 6:00 - 7:30pm; 667-7429
- Sunday, September 7 at the Gazebo in Rotary Park. Enjoy beats by DJKJ!! The jog/walk kicks off at noon, and will go around the Millennium Trail. Then we will have refreshments and prizes back at Rotary Park! You may get the registration forms and pledge sheets in advance at 308 Elliott Street (Triple J's) or jjjmusiccafe@klondiker.com
- *September 5-6. Klondike Road Relay
Special (legs 7-10) walking category for teams of 4 people. Fee. - *Sunday, September 14. The Terry Fox Run
SS Klondike. Registration begins at 11.30 and the Run takes place from 1pm until 3pm. There is both a 5km and 10km route. Participants are welcome to run, walk, stroll, cycle, roller blade, skate board, push children in strollers, bring out seniors in wheelchairs, etc. We even welcome our four legged friends. No fee, no fund-raising minimum, just by donation. George Maratos, Organizer, 867-334-6397 - Wednesday, September 18. Scotia bank AIDS Walk for Life; Lepage Park, 3rd Avenue at Wood Street; Registration: 11:00 am; start: 12:00 pm. Sponsor, or make a donation (eligible for an official tax receipt.) It's great to be there with our extended family and to take part in an important cause, to make a difference in the lives of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, and to celebrate life and remember our losses. Hosted by Blood Ties Four Directions Centre.
- Saturday September 21, 2013. Wishmaker Walk for Wishes; Rotary Park and walk the Millennium Trail; registration: 10:00 am; walk: 11:00 am; celebration: noon; contact: Emilie Hamm, whitehorse.wishmakers@gmail.com, 867-335-4266
- Tuesday, September 24. Last Gasp & AGM
F.H. Collins parking lot Start: 6:00 pm Run or walk a 2.5 or 5 km course on the Millennium Trail. Athletics Yukon AGM - Sport Yukon Boardroom 7 p.m. - *Wednesday, September 24. National School Run Day For schools and generally not open to the public. Walkers are welcome.
- TBA. Take back the night. Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre
- *Sunday, September 28. Whitehorse Walk for ALS; noon, Shipyards Park
Walk start: 1:00 pm. All participants will be encouraged to solicit donations. To make fund-raising easy, each participant that registers on-line is able to set up a personal web-page with access to on-line fund raising tools. Walk, run, ride, wheel. - until October 30. 2014 Walk Without Borders Challenge Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
- Friday, October 4, 12 noon. Silent Walk & Vigil, from Yukon Legislative Assembly Building and finishing at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre fire pit.The Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council invites you to join us in a silent walk and vigil to remember missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Lunch and refreshments will be served.
- *Wednesday, October 8. International walk to school day October is International Walk to school month. RPAY is the Yukon Coordinator of the event.
- Saturday, October 12. Wishmaker walk/run.
11:00 am, Robert Service Campground; meaganbridge@hotmail.com; pledge-based raising money for Children's Make a Wish Foundation; participants can make a donation at registration. - Monday, November 25. Take Back the Night!Women and children meet at the Yukon Courts Building at 5 pm and we will march to the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre for speakers, food, and music. Men are invited to join at the Cultural Centre at 6 pm.
- Saturday November 30. Winterval Santa Parade starts at 3:30 on top of Main Street; make a float, come with your bike, decorate your kid's stroller, come with friends and make a funny banner; Outdoor Waterfront Arts festival with fire pits, poi dancers, a giant ice cube mosaic to be made. Contact Lianne Maitland at 335-5387 to volunteer
- Saturday, December 21. Grey Mountain Winter Solstice Jingle Bell Run/Walk
Grey Mountain Road, upper parking lot. Start Time: 10 am. Run or walk up to the towers on Grey Mountain Road approx. 12 km return Donations to the food bank accepted. - Thursday, December 26. Christmas Bird Count. Wendy Nixon, 867-668-7572, wendy.nixon@ec.gc.ca
- ???????? LDAY Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon
- *Wednesday, February 5 Winter Walk Day, or Alberta page
- *Tuesday, 11 Feb., 11:30-13:00; Old Fire Hall. Free guided hike; Yukon Quest Fest. Ever wonder how caribou sleep? Bring an extra layer of warm clothing like a down jacket in your pack and chocolate for the guide!
- *Saturday, March 22 Burning Away the Winter Blues Participants take part in a torch-lit procession, led by a giant effigy of the Winter Blues, which culminates at the site of a great bonfire.
- *Community Clean-up; Deadline March 15
September
October
November
December
February
March
April
- Learn to Walk/Learn to Run Clinics, (Run for Mom) Tuesdays for 6 weeks from April 2 to May 73. Sport Yukon 4061-4th Avenue, 5:30 pm.
- Wednesday, April 2 National Walking Day