Columbia Volksmarch Club

Who we are

The Columbia Volksmarch Club (CVC) is a walking Club in Howard County, Maryland, USA. Formed in December, 1984, the CVC is a member of the Maryland Volkssport Association (MVA) under the authority of the American Volkssport Association (AVA) in the International Federation of Popular Sports ( IVV). The primary purpose of the club is to promote good health through sports that family members of all ages can participate in and have fun doing.

Volkssports are non-competitive outdoor fitness events where a participant walks (jogs or runs), bikes, swims, rollerblades a marked or mapped route at his/her own pace. The most popular is the Volksmarch, a 10KM (6.2 mile) walking event. Frequently we offer shorter distance options such as 5KM (3.1 mile) walking events. The routes are often scenic, historic or of special interest. Volkssports are great recreational activities for the whole family.

The CVC is a non-profit organization. We donate any excess funds each year to county / state park services and to community groups that share our interest in promoting good health through exercise.

Where we are

2023 Regular Events

April 1 Fulton starting at Sidamo Coffee, 8180 Maple Lawn Blvd, Start from 8:00 am to 11:00 am

June 3 Kings Contrivance starting in the Kings Contrivance Village Center, Start from 7:30 am to 9:00 am

August 12 Columbia starting in Blandair Park, Start from 7:30 am to 9:00 am

October 7 Elkridge in Rockburn Branch Park, Start from 8:00 am to 11:00 am

2023 Year Round Events

NOTE: The Physical Start Box for the Lake Elkhorn and Owen Brown YREs has moved.
It is located at a residental home at 6887 Garland Lane, Columbia, MD.
There is OSB access for both events.

Click for YRE Brochure

CVC offers SEVEN Year Round Events (YREs)

All seven have physical registration start boxes (PSB) and also Online Start Boxes (OSB)
Welcome to the Online Start Box - Your First Steps

Trails from four starting locations: Four trails in the Villages of Columbia, two trails in Ellicott City and one trail in Sykesville.

There are 5km trail options on all trails (including alternate trail at the Columbia Mall Outdoor).

Columbia trails start at:
Feet First in Wilde Lake for Wilde Lake and Columbia Mall (walk inside or outside), , and the Dye House for Owen Brown and Lake Elkhorn & Patuxent Branch Trail.

Ellicott City trails start at:
Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City, 3000 Milltowne Drive (formerly Mt. Ida Drive), Ellicott City, MD 21043 where you will need to drive to different walk starting locations for the Centennial Lake trails.

Sykesville trail starts at
French Twist Cafe 732 Oklahoma Ave Sykesville MD

View Maryland YRE's in a larger map

Meetings - Usually the 3rd Monday of the Month

The CVC meetings are usually scheduled on the third Monday night of the month. The meetings start at 7:00 pm in community centers or various officers and members houses. The meetings usually last about 90 minutes. Since Covid, we have been conducting our meetings via Zoom. Please contact our secretary is you are interested in attending.

CVC Newsletter

See a sample of the monthly CVC Newsletter.

How to join

It is simple to join the CVC. Membership is only $10 for individuals or families. Just provide your name(s), address, phone and e-mail address. Mail information on the membership application and a check made out to CVC to:

CVC
9701 Softwater Way
Columbia, MD 21046-1815

As a member, you will receive the newsletter which will provide you with an up-to-date schedule of volkssporting events in the Atlantic Region (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and West Virginia), as well as an account of club activities. Club meetings are held monthly and are open to club members and non-members alike.

Officers & other responsible people

President: John Dye, (410) 290-6510,
Vice-President: Ron Looper, (410) 969-8661
Secretary: Karen Dye, (410) 290-6510
Treasurer: Paul Lubell, (443) 612-9956
TrailMeister: Tony Willoughby, (410) 461-5758
Newsletter Editor: John Dye,(410) 290-6510
Volunteer Coordinator: Ron Looper, (410) 969-8661
Membership: Linda Toole, (301) 498-5936