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Thousands of cyclists, paddlers and walkers will be in motion at the Mayor’s Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle Monday, September 2 as it returns for a 15th consecutive Labor Day at Waterfront Park.
“One of our goals is to make Louisville a healthier city, and one way to do that is to ensure we are a more active and accessible city for people of all ages,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I’m excited to join thousands of residents from across Louisville for this beloved annual tradition.”
Subway Restaurants is again the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Norton Healthcare and Neil Huffman Subaru. Academy Sports + Outdoors is a contributing sponsor.
“Subway Restaurants is proud to again be the title sponsor of the Mayor’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle, celebrating its 15th year. The events happening today give people an opportunity to be outside in the fresh air and lead healthy, active lifestyles,” said Umang Patel, Louisville SUBWAY Board Chair.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated is passionate about serving the Louisville community,” said Brian Outland, Vice President of Retail Sales at Coke Consolidated. “That’s why it’s an honor to support wonderful events like the Hike, Bike, and Paddle, that bring so many people together in the community for family fun during the holiday weekend.”
Norton Healthcare is pleased to once again sponsor the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle. “As a nationally-recognized healthiest employer, we are committed to providing a culture of health and wellness within our organization and throughout the community,” said Russell F. Cox, president and chief executive officer, Norton Healthcare. “We encourage everyone to live a healthy, active lifestyle and to participate in this fun event.”
“Neil Huffman Subaru is proud to again be a partner with Mayor Greg Fischer and the Office of Special Events for the Memorial Day edition of the Hike, Bike and Paddle,” said Dow Huffman, Managing Partner, Neil Huffman Auto Group. “Throughout the Neil Huffman Auto Group’s 50-year history, community involvement has been one of our core values and we salute this signature healthy city initiative and applaud the thousands of members of our community who participate each year.”
For hikers, this year features three routes, including a 5K route, that will all travel along Waterfront Park to the Big Four Bridge, all ending back at the Great Lawn. All routes are dog friendly, except for the route across the Big Four Bridge. The dog friendly route will take hikers with animals on a path leading to the Louisville Community Boathouse and back to the Great Lawn. All dogs must be leashed, and their owners must pick up waste during the walk. For those needing a shortened route, a third route will travel along Waterfront Park and circle back at the Big Four Bridge. All routes are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
For cyclists, this year’s 13.5-mile route will start near the Flock of Finns on Witherspoon Street and include travel through the Beecher Terrace redevelopment and parts of Smoketown and Shelby Park neighborhoods, past the Logan Street Market and Paristown developments, past the Louisville City FC’s under-construction stadium, and more. Cyclists who do not wish to do the entire course may turn around at any point after the majority of participants have passed.
All of the cycling and walking routes will be marked with signage and will have water stops at the halfway points to refill water bottles. The Louisville Bicycle Club and Scheller’s Fitness and Cycle are providing “bike captains” to help cyclists obey the rules of the road.
“Bike doctors” will be stationed in Waterfront Park before the ride and along the route to assist cyclists with any equipment problems. Louisville Metro Police will provide traffic assistance at key intersections, and the Louisville Metro EMS bicycle team will patrol the route. All cyclists are asked to remain behind the lead Police vehicles.
The paddling activity will begin at the Harbor Lawn in Waterfront Park and the route will be about 5 miles along Ohio River. At 10 a.m., paddlers will go through the McAlpine locks to New Albany. TARC will have free shuttle for the return trip to Waterfront Park.
Paddlers can enter from the University of Louisville Rowing dock located at the east end of Waterfront Park near the Community Boat House and will proceed downstream to the Harbor Lawn to await the start of the event. Free parking is available at this location. Volunteers will be on-site to assist paddlers at both locations.
Back by popular demand again this year, the Louisville Kayak Company will be offering kayak rental services at the event. You can reserve your kayak at the event or before you go by visiting here.
Police and safety boats will be nearby during the paddling activity, and participants can get assistance if needed in launching their canoe or kayak. Safe paddling instruction and demonstrations will take place in the harbor area of the Great Lawn.
More than 50 vendors and information booths will open at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park. Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba and Pickleball demonstrations will be offered starting at 8 a.m., along with group participation.
2,500 free t-shirts will be available for those arriving early and completing a brief survey. Thanks to sponsor support, this year’s t-shirt is an upgraded performance sport material.
Subway will be handing out free cash gift cards to be used at any Subway location, while supplies last. The Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one. Neil Huffman Subaru will be giving away a free bicycle and kayak at the event. Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles, which they will be able to fill at Waterfront Park and at various water stations along the routes, as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go.
This is the 15th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices.
To view interactive route maps, a full schedule and for more information, visit here. RSVP on the Hike, Bike and Paddle Facebook event page. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!
Thousands of hikers, bikers and paddlers will hit the streets and the Ohio River on Labor Day, Sept. 3, for the 28th Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle at Waterfront Park.
“One of Louisville’s core values is to create a healthier city, and there’s no better time than the annual Hike, Bike & Paddle to come together with residents from all parts of our city for fun and exercise,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.
Subway Restaurants is the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Norton Healthcare and Neil Huffman Subaru, and contributing sponsor Academy Sports + Outdoors.
“SUBWAY Restaurants is proud to be the title sponsor of the SUBWAY Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle events for the 14th year! The events give people an opportunity to be outside in the fresh air and lead healthy, active lifestyles,” said Umang Patel, Louisville SUBWAY Board Chair.
“As Louisville’s local bottler, Coca-Cola Consolidated is pleased to support the Hike, Bike & Paddle again this year,” said Brian Outland, Vice President for Retail Sales at Coke Consolidated. “This event truly exemplifies Louisville’s community spirit by bringing people together to enjoy the Labor Day Holiday and some outdoor fun.”
Starting at 8 a.m., Hike, Bike & Paddle participants can warm up on the Great Lawn with various fitness activities including Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, Pickleball and Rock Climbing. From the main stage, 106.9 Play! radio personality Jordan Rivers will kick off the event with announcements and energetic music throughout the morning. Patrons can also walk down to Harbor Lawn and try their hand at stand-up paddle boarding until 1 p.m.
More than 50 vendors and information booths will open at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park. Participants can take home one of the free 3,000 free Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle T-shirts commemorating the event. These are available while supplies last.
Along with free T-shirts, participants can expect to take home other giveaways as well. The event title sponsor, Subway, will be passing out $2 cash cards at their tent. Neil Huffman Subaru will be giving away a chance to win a free bicycle and kayak, and free reusable water bottles. Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated will offer free Powerade to hikers.
Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles which they will be able to fill at Waterfront Park, the Iroquois Park Spray Grounds near the Amphitheater, and the base of the Big Four Bridge, as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go.
The hiking route features three different routes to accommodate all participants, including those with four legs. Nu Image Fitness will lead the 5K hike along Waterfront Park and over the Big Four Bridge to Jeffersonville, and back to the Great Lawn. Because dogs are not allowed on the bridge, hikers with animals will be directed on a separate path leading to the Louisville Community Boathouse and back to the Great Lawn. For those needing a shortened route, the third option will travel along Waterfront Park and turn around at the Big Four Bridge. It is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. Walkers may bring dogs to participate in the hike, as long as the animal is on a leash and owners pick up waste during the walk, as required by law.
Both the cycling and walking routes will be marked, and there will be water stops at the halfway points to refill water bottles.
For cyclists, a 15.5-mile route will leave Waterfront Park and go west to Shawnee Park and back to Waterfront Park. Bicyclists choosing not to complete the entire route to Iroquois Park can simply turn around to return to Waterfront Park.
The Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one.
“Bike doctors” will be in Waterfront Park before the ride and along the route to assist cyclists with equipment problems. Louisville Metro Police will provide traffic assistance at key intersections, and the Louisville Metro EMS bicycle team will patrol the route. All cyclists are asked to remain behind the lead police vehicles. The Louisville Bicycle Club and Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling are providing “bike captains” to help cyclists obey the rules of the road.
For the paddle portion, patrons will have the opportunity to try their hand at stand-up paddle boarding provided by Kentucky Paddleboarding LLC until 1 p.m.
Paddlers will begin their adventurous five-mile course at 10 a.m., taking their canoes and kayaks through the McAlpine Locks and Dam to the Jaycees Boat Ramp in New Albany. Participants will launch their canoes or kayaks at the ramp located at the Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park. Paddlers can drop their boats off at the “Green” parking lot near River Road and Witherspoon Street from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Paddlers are encouraged to enter from the University of Louisville Rowing Center/ Louisville Community Boathouse off River Road and paddle upstream toward the start at the Harbor Lawn. Parking will be available at the Louisville Community Boat House, and volunteers will be on-site to assist paddlers at both of these locations.
Like on Memorial Day, the Louisville Kayak Company will be offering kayak rental services at the event. You can reserve your kayak at the event or before you go by visiting hikebikeandpaddle.org.
Police and safety boats will be nearby during the paddling activity, and all participants will have assistance if needed in launching their canoe or kayak. Safe paddling instruction and demonstrations will take place in the harbor area of the Great Lawn. Paddle participants must wear a life jacket and carry a noise-making device.
After the event, TARC will offer a shuttle service from New Albany back to Waterfront Park for paddlers to retrieve their vehicles at the launch site.
This is the 14th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices. To view interactive route maps and for more information, go to hikebikeandpaddle.org.
Already know you’re coming? RSVP on our Facebook event page. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!
Additional support is provided by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Greater Louisville Sports Commission, Kentucky Paddleboarding LLC, Louisville Water Company, Louisville Waterfront Park, River City Paddle Sports, Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling and Yoga East. Media Sponsors include 106.9 Play!, Louisville Public Media, Outfront Media and WLKY.
Find a schedule and more information
If You Go:
Paddlers will put in canoes or kayaks at the Ohio River ramp on the Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park or at the Louisville Community Boathouse and paddle upstream toward Harbor Lawn.
Booths at Waterfront Park open at 8:30 a.m. offering paddling instruction, safety lessons, cycling information and assistance, yoga, tai chi, Zumba, Pickleball, rock climbing and stand-up paddle board demonstrations with group participation and more.
On-street parking is available near Waterfront Park. All TARC buses are equipped with bicycle racks for cyclists who want to leave the car at home.
