What’s New?

New Year-Round-Event qualifies for the Challenge:

Thanks to our friends in the FS Family Wanderers walking club in Seattle, we have a brand-new YRE route which qualifies for the Light Rail Challenge.  Check it out!

Roosevelt Station

Explore some of the Roosevelt neighborhood, including the new light rail station and Roosevelt High School.  Stroll along Green Lake and visit a small business district by the lake.  Route goes along Ravenna Boulevard to Cowen Park.  The 10K goes down into the ravine of Ravenna Park and back.  (Path can be a little muddy after rain.)  Both routes cross the ravine on historic bridges.  The 10K route also takes you to a medieval style labyrinth by a church.

Registration is available either at the physical start box located at the Urban Bakery, or through the online start box.  For online start box, go to ava.org, or try this link.

Location – Physical Start Box:
Urban Bakery
850 E. Green Lake Dr. N.
Seattle WA 98103

Driving Directions – Physical Start Box:
From I-5 northbound or southbound, take Exit 172 (NE 85th St.).  Take NE 85th St (exit forces into correct direction) to Wallingford Ave N.  Left to E Green Lake Dr N.  Bakery is on corner on left.  Park on-street or in Green Lake Park lot.  Observe all restrictions, enforcement is strict.

Comments: Challenges: ESVA: Strolling Along the River – Ravenna Creek.

Additional Book Sales:
Because we continue to receive requests to purchase Challenge Books, we’re doing a limited run of books for those who missed purchasing one when the Challenge first opened (or for those who would like to do the Challenge again!).  Starting January 2023, we’re offering a limited number of books available for purchase.  If interested, send your check for $10, made payable to Emerald City Wanderers, to the address below.  Please include your name, return address (so that we can mail your book to you), and an email contact (in case we have a question when we receive your order).  Thank you for your continued interest and support!

Send your completed book (or your payment to purchase a new book) to:
Jane Clark
5700 6th Ave. S., #206
Seattle, WA  98108

Additional Walks that Qualify:
We learned there are two additional YRE walks which meet the criteria to qualify for the Challenge, because the routes pass by a future Light Rail Station.  These are at Stations which are currently under construction, slated to open when the new East Link and Federal Way Link Extension lines are finished.  Thanks to our friends at Interlaken Trailblazers Volkssport Club for their walk route on Mercer Island and our friends in the Over-the-Hill-Gang Volkssport Club for their walk route in Federal Way.

Light Rail Challenge – Hall of Fame
Congratulations to all participants who have completed the Light Rail Challenge!
Here’s the list, starting with the most recent Hall of Fame inductees:

February, 2024
Carol Vanderwoude

September, 2022
Gale Waibel
Klaus Waibel
Honorable mention to these two for completing the Challenge in record time – just one week from start to finish!

May, 2022
Julie Heath

April, 2022
Pam Davis

January, 2022
Denise Kerwin

November, 2021
Tom Wells (his second time!)

October, 2021
Alecia McClure

July, 2021
Dave Madsen

April, 2021
Sue Payton
Michelle Roberts

January, 2021
Chase Davis
Daryl Troyer
Diane Troyer

December, 2020
Becky McCommack
Mike Nagan
Warren Yee

November, 2020
Ida Hawkins
Sandy Hiles

September, 2020
Linda Pugmire
Katie Sell
Gayle Senger
James Senger

August, 2020
Amy Jo Pearsall

March, 2020
Sheila Morrison

January, 2020
Allan Boyce
Sally Boyce

December, 2019
Sherry Ogur
Donna Parks
Diane Wagner
Tom Wells
Don Whitt

November, 2019
Elizabeth Schmidt
Gary Stoneback
Linda Stoneback

October, 2019
Carolyn Warhol
Sue-Lon Webert
Nancy Wittenberg

September, 2019
Sandy Severtsen
Neil Smith
Michele Upchurch

August, 2019
Bobbi Barkley
Cathy Greutert
Nancy Melius

July, 2019
These two are tied for being first to complete their Challenge book – both on July 4th!
Dorothy Blackmun
Sharon Moats