| SPONSOR | Houston Happy Hikers (TX-6, AVA-15) |
| WHERE | Doubletree by Hilton - Houston Medical Center Hotel and Suites, Houston, TX |
| WHEN | January 01 - December 31 |
| WHAT | 10K / 5K and
11K / 7K walks (4 events, see below) |
| SANCTIONED |
By the American Volkssport Association (AVA), a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV). Participants in this event may receive credit toward IVV awards. |
| LOCATION |
DoubleTree by Hilton - Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites, 6800 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030. ( 713) 528-7744. Ask the Front Desk staff for the "Walk Box". Mapquest |
| SPECIAL NOTES |
Parking at the hotel is
limited. The hotel management has requested walkers that are not
staying at the hotel to park at one of the nearby parking garages
during
their walk. The DoubleTree by Hilton - Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites has generously agreed to offer their assistance in administering the walk. Please be considerate and appreciative of their help. There may be times when the staff is busy with customers, so please be patient and let them finish their business first. An additional "thank you" would be to patronize their facilities whenever possible. |
| START/FINISH TIMES | The Hotel is open 24 hours. It is suggested that you start after 08:00 A.M and finish 30 minutes before dusk. Please be courteous to the hotel staff and defer to hotel guests during busy times. |
AREA DESCRIPTION: More than 50 years
ago, insightful Houstonians began building the
foundation for the network of the 42-member
medical care institutions that comprise the
Texas Medical Center. Today, there are 13
hospitals and several medical schools within
its borders. Patients come from around the
globe to the center for state-of-the-art
procedures, quality care and medical break-
throughs. With the largest air emergency system in the nation, the center performs countless trauma-related procedures yearly, as well as a record number of heart surgeons.
The Houston Happy Hikers are happy to host 4 events in and around the Houston Medical Center area, including Rice University, Hermann Park and Downtown.
DIRECTIONS: From the 610 South Loop: Take Main Street north. At Holcomb, turn left and immediately right into the Holiday Inn parking lot.
From US 59: Take Green Briar south to
University, then left on University to Main. Right on Main to the DoubleTree Hotel entrance on the right. The Hotel is on the northwest
corner of the Main/Holcombe intersection.
--OR-- Take the
MetroRail train to the Dryden stop. Walk west along Dryden to Main
Street. Cross Main Street at the light and turn left, following Main
Street south to Holcombe. The DoubleTree Hotel is on the right, before the
Main/Holcombe intersection.
CREDIT: Each walk can be done as many times as you like for event and kilometer credits. $3.00 must be paid for each event credit, one per day. $3.00 must be paid each time the course is walked for distance credit except that a trail may be walked twice on the same day for one fee. A single $3.00 can be paid on a daily basis for a single event and distance credit.
AWARD: "B" awards from previous YRE events will be available.
REFRESHMENTS: For course #1, there are many restaurants in
the
West University area. Course #2 has several opportunities for
water
and restroom stops along the way, including the zoo and the
checkpoint at
the amphitheater. Course #3 has a convenience store and gasoline
station along the way. Course #4 has several opportunities for water and restroom stops along the way
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
Rice University (91168 2012/AVA-Y071) - The flat (rating = 1A, easy), 11 kilometer (6.8 miles) / 7 kilometer (4.3miles) course is interesting and varied. The trail follows shaded paved streets and sidewalks with some curbs, suitable for strollers, past Houston's world-famous Medical Center, the charming shops and restaurants of the Village, the renowned Art Museums and Sculpture Gardens, scenic residential areas and through the beautiful campus of Rice University.
Hermann Park (91166 2012/AVA-Y0143) - The flat (rating = 1A, easy), 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) / 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) course passes several things to do when you aren't volkswalking - golf, zoo, museums and theaters. The trail is opposite Main Street from the YRE Course 1 trail and also follows shaded, paved streets and sidewalks with some curbs, suitable for strollers. Take your time and enjoy the hike and bike trails introduced on the route. Come back after the walk to participate in the many activities in and around Hermann Park.
Medical Center (91169 2012/AVA-Y1388) - Another flat (rating =1A, easy), (what else in Houston!) 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) / 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) walk that takes you through the inner courtyards and past the fountains and statues of the world famous Texas Medical Center, the University of Texas Health Science Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Woman's University's Houston Center, and Methodist and St. Luke's Hospitals. Then, through an attractive residential district on its way back to the Medical Center.
Downtown (123107 - 2023/AVA-Y0536) - The generally flat (rating = 1A, easy) 10 kilometer (6.2 miles)/5 kilometer (3.1 miles) walk is almost entirely on city sidewalks and paved walkways; includes 3 stairs, street curbs and an escalator. Please ride the train to the downtown walk, as parking is limited in the downtown area.
REGISTRATION/FEES: There is no pre-registration. Ask for the "Walk Box" at the front desk, register and pick up a start card. The walk fee is $3.00 (includes IVV credit). Non-credit children under 12 are free. All participants must carry a start card and return it when finished. No refunds for inclement weather. NOTE: IVV record books are NOT available at the Start/Finish.
ELIGIBILITY: These events are open to the public and all ages are welcome. Family participation is encouraged but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All pets must be leashed and under control at all times. Wheelchairs and strollers may be used on all 3 walks.
DISCLAIMER: We have carefully selected the routes to ensure the safety of the participants. The sponsors and hosts of the events are not liable for accidents, theft or damages, so we ask everyone's cooperation in making these events safe, enjoyable and memorable.
INFORMATION:
CONTACT: Marianna Wood 281-799-1688
hhhcontact@houstonhappyhikers.com
DOUBLETREE HOTEL: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/houmhdt-doubletree-houston-medical-center-hotel-and-suites/ 713-528-7744
HOUSTON INFO: www.houston-guide.com/ www.houstontx.gov/
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This page was last updated on 05/30/2023
Copyright, Houston Happy Hikers, Houston, Texas
