This weekend’s Iowa Games gave Iowa a chance for some competition, but the Volkswalk and the Volksride presented participants with a different opportunity: sports, just for the fun of it.

While more competitive events were going on all around the ISU campus, across Ames and in neighboring communities, the Volkswalk and the Volksride were busy bringing in participants of their own.

Both events were organized by the American Volkssport Association, a worldwide organization which commits itself to encouraging wellness through noncompetitive walking and riding events.

The events may not be activities many people are familiar with, but the AVA has been an organization for 25 years.

Originally the term Volkswalk was termed Volkswanderung- “volkswandering.”

According to the AVA website, this term was too difficult for American military stationed in Germany to understand, so they coined the term, Volksmarch.

Volksmarch was eventually termed Volkswalk by those who considered the term “too foreign.”

Today there are thousands of volkssport clubs around the world including over 500 volkssport clubs throughout the U.S.

Routinely, club members hold the events and select a trail based on safety, historic areas, natural beauty and scenic interest.

The Iowa Games has continued to host both the Volkswalk and the Volksride as an event for those interested.

Both events were well attended this past weekend, with the Volkswalk, a 10K event, having over 100 participants.

The event gave all involved a chance to get some exercise in a fun and healthy way.

“For us, the Volkswalk is a noncompetitive pursuit of physical activity,” said Peggy Welter, co-commissioner of the event.

For others, the walk presented the opportunity to see new things.

“I like to walk and get exercise, but I also like to see interesting spots,” said Jane Harswick, a participant of the event.

“It can be fun to see things in your area that you’d never see.”

Still others, like walker Marge Godfrey, participated to support the Volkssport organization.

“I hate to miss a planned event, and I’ll collect the participation patches that we get,” Godfrey said.

Both Godfrey and Harswick said they also liked to walk for the friends they meet on the trail.

The 10K Volkswalk generally takes approximately two hours for its participants to finish.

In Slater, Saturday, bike riders were also getting in on the fun.

The Volksride offered cyclists a chance to get some noncompetitive exercise.

Participants rode their bikes on the Heart of Iowa Trail, which runs from Slater to Cambridge and back.

Wolfgang Oesterreich, commissioner of the 16 mile event, said it was geared toward families.

“This is just a chance to get people, families, out riding the trails,” he said.

Oesterreich said he got the ride involved with the Volks organization because of what Volkssport stood for.

“We decided this was a ride for the people, and that’s what Volks is,” he said.

Oesterreich said the laid-back atmosphere can really be fun.

“We just have a nice, friendly, easy ride,” he said.

Saturday’s warm conditions left Oesterreich and his six volunteers with the task of keeping the athletes hydrated.

Oesterreich said they provided a lot of water during the event.

Those who survived the sweltering conditions received a medal for participation.

For those looking to participate in more Volkssport events, the organization holds walks all over the world throughout the year.

Approximately half a dozen events still remain this year in Iowa.

The American Volkssport Association’s Web site, www.ava.org, has information concerning all of the organization’s events.