2 5 and 10 kilometer walks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with different routes each day are being sponsored by the Emerald City Wanderers. Plus they will offer hot soup for all participants. The walks start on New Year’s Eve anytime between 4 and 7 PM, and on New Year’s Day between 9 AM and 12 noon, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church at 3050 California Ave S.W. in West Seattle. There is no fee for the walks, which are noncompetitive. No preregistration required.

The New Year’s Eve 5 kilometer route winds through the holiday lights in the Admiral neighborhood, and features beautiful views of the City. The 10 kilometer route heads down to Alki and features the lights on and around Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle. Since it starts around sundown flashlights will be helpful.

On New Year’s Day, the 5 and 10 kilometer routes take walkers through the Alaska Junction. 5K walkers wander back to the start through quiet neighborhoods. 10K walkers walk along the Puget Sound shoreline, through a number of parks and shoreline features.

If you are not from West Seattle the directions to the church are as follows: From I-5, take exit 163 (northbound) or 163A (southbound), and cross West Seattle bridge. Exit at Admiral Way. Go up Admiral Way a little over a mile to California Ave S.W., a major intersection. Turn left and go .3 mile to West Seattle High School parking lot, adjacent to St. John’s Church and the start/finish.

This event is hosted by the Emerald City Wanderers and St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Information about volkssports will be available.