Volkssport: Black Jack in motion

By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff | Sunday, August 24, 2008

Previous Page

Share

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• NewsVine
• Fark

Print

Email

Volksmarches changed Mark Rugg’s life.

Diagnosed in 2003 with diabetes, Rugg began experiencing numbness in his feet and a terrifying sense that his life was drastically changing for the worse.

Rather than sit down and give up, he decided to start walking. Equipped with a good pair of orthotic insoles for his shoes, he began hitting the trails in local volkssport events.

“Everything was starting to hurt more and more, but I found out that the more I walk, I would still have pain, but not as much,” he said. “The pain just became more manageable.”

“I also realized that OK, if you have this pain and you don’t do anything, pretty soon how to you even walk.”

Rugg became more active in the Black Hills Volkssport Association, which now boasts 200 members locally and hosts 20 events each year, including the popular Crazy Horse Memorial walk.

During volkssport events, participants walk or hike specified trails and then get credit for them, with garners them pins and certificates. The local organization also raffles off a pair of walking shoes at each event. This year, the BHVA has added one more event to its roster, thanks to Rugg’s enthusiasm for the sport.  

The Black Hills Black Jack 2008 features 21 volkssport events, including walking, biking and swimming, held in a single weekend.

Black Jack 2008 runs Thursday, Aug. 28, through Monday, Sept. 1, at venues in Rapid City, Hill City, Deadwood and Spearfish. Participants will be able to take guided walks on Skyline Drive and  bike along Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City; bike the Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills and hike Crow Peak near Spearfish, to name only a few. (See complete list)

Rugg expects anywhere from 500 to 700 people from around the country and Canada to participate in the Black Jack 2008 event.

Participants in Black Jack 2008 don’t have to be members of the local or any volks group to participate. The event is for everyone and all ages, Rugg said.

“If somebody wakes up Friday morning .. and they want to do one of these walks, not a problem. All they have to do is show up,” Rugg said.

Walking and hiking have become so much a part of Rugg’s life that he can’t imagine life without it.   

“Even on the weekends, when we don’t have any volksmarches, the wife and I just go out on a hike of our own,” he said.

 

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.