Some walked back to the church from National Harbor, while others bused back. Photo by Marissa Beale/Gazette Packet
For the past several years, members of Alfred Street Baptist Church have hosted an annual Christian Walk for members. This year, they also held a drive for the homeless and asked walkers to bring along a toiletry item to donate. Walkers were asked to identify as stroller, intermediate or advanced walkers, based on how fast they planned to walk. There was also a junior/youth category for younger walkers aged 8 to 12. A few pet owners brought their dogs along for the 6th annual walk held on May 9.
“It’s fellowship with a good cause in mind,” said Deacon Charles Montero, director and chairperson of the walk.
The first group of walkers departed beginning at 8:16 a.m., and everyone arrived at National Harbor by 9:30 a.m. Refreshments were provided for walkers at the harbor, which also allowed for additional fellowship. The walk was an effort to promote fitness and to also collect items for the homeless. It was roughly 2.6 miles from the church to National Harbor, and 5.2 miles both there and back. Participants took roughly 10,000 steps that Saturday, and burned from 300 to 700 calories.