FERNANDINA BEACH, FL – 5 and 10km walks (YRE1755) Jan 1-Dec 31.

Event Special Classification - Lighthouses USA, American Revolution, RiverWalk America, Courthouses and Railroad Heritage

               Point of Contact::  Mark/Gloria Merwarth 904-277-7161, stomaglo@aol.com or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org.

            Start Point: Hampton Inn & Suites, 19 S. Second St., Fernandina Beach, FL 904-491-4911 From I-95 take exit 373 heading east onto SR 200/A1A into Fernandina Beach. At Centre St/Atlantic Ave turn left onto Centre St to Front St. At Front St turn left. Turn left on Ash St. Turn left on Second St. Hotel is on the left. Start box is in the lobby.

                Event Info:  Daily dawn to dusk. Trail is rated 1 and is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The city's old town on Amelia Island will captivate you with its variety of architectural styles. You'll pass part of the Victorian District, wonder at the many varied and inviting Bed/Breakfast establishments and delight in the proliferation of quaint stores and restaurants on Centre St. The Start/Walk box is located behind the hotel reception/check in the desk/counter.

GAINESVILLE, FL -  5 and 10km walks (YRE0577), Jan 1-Dec 31.

Event Special Classification - College Campus

                Point of Contact: Kathy Rapacki,  catwalk77@aol.com or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                Start Point: Holiday Inn, Gainesville, 1250 West University Ave, 352-376-1661. From I-75 take exit 384 east onto FL 24 (Archer Rd). Stay on Archer Rd to SW 13th St. (Note the VA Hospital on the right of Archer Rd as you approach town). Left onto SW 13th St. Holiday Inn is located on the right at the corner of West University Ave and SW 13th St. Pick up start box at front desk, register and drive to VA Hospital on Archer Rd. Park in visitor's parking lot off of SW 16th Ave. Lot is accessible from Archer Rd. Start walk at the hospital picnic pavilion. City is crowded on Gator home game weekends. Please call ahead to check.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Timucuan Preserve at Fort Caroline National Memorial – 5 and 10km walks (YRE1524) Jan 1-Dec 31 *NEW FOR 2008*

Event Special Classification - Cemetery Stroll, Riverwalk America and Native American Culture

         Point of Contact: Brian Lenihan (904) 743-1928, brianlenihan@cs.com or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                 Start Point:  Timucuan Preserve Visitors Center, 12713 Fort Caroline Rd., 904-641-7155. Southbound on Interstate 95, exit at Florida Route 9A (Exit #362). Route 9A crosses the St. Johns River via the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward bridge at Dames Point. Exit at Monument Road, follow the brown signs to the left, and travel to Fort Caroline Road. Turn right, and follow Fort Caroline Road as it curves to the left at the bottom of the hill. The entrance to the Fort Caroline National Memorial will be ahead, on your left. Northbound on Interstate 95, leave I-95 at Florida Route 9A (Exit #337). Follow 9A to Monument Road. Exit at Monument Road, follow the brown signs to the right, and travel to Fort Caroline Road. Turn right, and follow Fort Caroline Road as it curves to the left at the bottom of the hill. The entrance to the Fort Caroline National Memorial will be ahead, on your left. Please note: Portions of 9A are still under construction, there may be some delays      

         Event Info: Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.. Fort Caroline memorializes the short-lived French presence in sixteenth century Florida. Here you will find stories of exploration, survival, religious disputes, territorial battles, and first contact between American Indians and Europeans. Located at Fort Caroline National Memorial, the Timucuan Preserve visitor center hosts the exhibit "Where the Waters Meet." This exhibit showcases the richness of the environment in northeast Florida and how humans have interacted with this environment for thousands of years. The Visitor Center hosts a bookstore and information desk, and activities are available to do while exploring the exhibits. The Start/Walk box is located inside the Visitor Center behind the Ranger's desk. Please visit their web site, www.nps.gov/timu.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -  Neptune/Jacksonville Beach   FL– 5 and 10km walks (YRE1527), Jan 1-Dec 31 *NEW FOR 2008*

Event Special Classification - Islands

             Point of Contact: Kristin Raasch, 904-221-2021, e.raasch@comcast.net or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                  Start Point: Shelby's Coffee Shoppe (normally open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Call for hours of operation during holidays and winter months.), 200 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266, 904-249-2922. From the SOUTH – take I-95 north to J. Turner Butler Blvd, SR 202. Proceed east (right) on Butler to Kernan Blvd. Go north (left) on Kernan to Atlantic Blvd, SR 10. Turn right on Atlantic Blvd. Go approx. 5.8 miles. Free parking is available in diagonal parking spaces along 1st St. and several other streets in the general area. From the NORTH – take I-95 south to State Road 9A. Proceed east on 9A to the Atlantic Blvd, SR 10 exit. Go east (left) for approx. 9 miles. Free parking is available in diagonal parking spaces along 1st St. and several other streets in the general area.

                  Event Info: Begin your walk in the Town Centre section of Neptune Beach. This small beach community has many local restaurants and shops, including Pete’s Bar made famous in John Grisham’s novel “The Brethren”. Your walk then proceeds through eclectic residential areas of Neptune Beach with many old Florida 1950 and 1960’s style beach homes. You will walk out onto the new Jacksonville Beach pier and enjoy the ocean view. Then continue into the newly redeveloped pavilion area of Jacksonville Beach with more local restaurants and shops. After enjoying Ocean Front Park you will head down to the beach for the return to the start point. Trail is rated 1+ on paved sidewalks/streets and sandy beach. Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Pets not allowed on the beach. The Start/Walk box is located on shelving across from the order counter.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Atlantic Beach – 5 and 10km walks (YRE1085) Jan 1-Dec 31

Event Special Classification - Islands

             Point of Contact: Kristin Raasch, 904-221-2021, e.raasch@comcast.net or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                 Start Point:  Shelby's Coffee Shoppe (normally open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Call for hours of operation during holidays and winter months.), 200 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266, 904-249-2922. From the SOUTH – take I-95 north to J. Turner Butler Blvd, SR 202. Proceed east (right) on Butler to Kernan Blvd. Go north (left) on Kernan to Atlantic Blvd, SR 10. Turn right on Atlantic Blvd. Go approx. 5.8 miles. Free parking is available in diagonal parking spaces along 1st St. and several other streets in the general area. From the NORTH – take I-95 south to State Road 9A. Proceed east on 9A to the Atlantic Blvd, SR 10 exit. Go east (left) for approx. 9 miles. Free parking is available in diagonal parking spaces along 1st St. and several other streets in the general area.

Event Info:  Trail is rated 1+ on paved sidewalks/streets and sandy beach. Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Pets not allowed on the beach. Both the 5k and 10k walks will begin at Shelby’s Coffee Shoppe. The walk goes through charming residential areas of Atlantic Beach. 5k walkers will then move on to the beach for the rest of the walk. Before moving onto the beach, the 10k will go through the Selva Marina area of Atlantic Beach. This area is a delightful change of pace from much of coastal FL. There are hills and massive old trees. Restrooms, restaurants and shops are located in the Town Centre area where the walk begins and ends. The Start/Walk box is located on shelving across from the order counter.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Riverside – 5 and 10km walks (YRE0451) Jan 1-Dec 31.

Event Special Classification - Riverwalk American and Railroad Heritage

                Point of Contact: Billie/Larry Hayward, 904-598-9469, billiehayward@earthlink.net or larryhayward@earthlink.net or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                 Start Point:  Omni Hotel, 245 Water St. Jacksonville, FL 32202 904-355-6664 - Riverside walk - From I-95 NORTHBOUND - take exit 352B (Forsyth St.) Go about .9 mile to Pearl St. Turn right. Go two blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel on left. From I-95 SOUTHBOUND - take left lane exit 353B (West Union St.) Go left toward Riverfront/Sports Complex. Go about .6 mile to Pearl St. Turn right. Go 9 blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel is on left. Start box is at front desk.  Parking: Metered parking is free on weekends; the least expense weekday parking is at "The Jacksonville Landing" parking lot on Water St.

                Event Info:  Daily dawn to dusk. Trail is rated 1+ and is not suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Walk along shady tree lined sidewalks through historically significant neighborhoods and scenic parks in Riverside. Browse through unique shops or stop for a snack in a restaurant in Five Points. Stroll along the National Heritage St. Johns River.  Pets must be leashed and under control. Uneven sidewalks create challenges for strollers and wheelchairs. The Start/Walk box is located in a room adjacent to, or, behind the hotel reception/check in desk/counter.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Riverwalk – 5K and 10K walks (YRE1660) Jan 1-Dec 31.

Event Special Classification - Riverwalk American and Railroad Heritage and Courthouses

                Point of Contact: Therese Lee, 904-707-6823, tlee@smithhulsey.com or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                 Start Point:  Omni Hotel, 245 Water St, Jacksonville, FL 904-355-6664 Jacksonville Riverwalk FROM I-95 NORTHBOUND - take exit 352B (Forsyth St). Go about .9 mi to Pearl St. Turn right. Go two blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel on left. FROM I-95 SOUTHBOUND - take left lane exit 353B (West Union St.) Go left toward Riverfront/Sports complex. Go about .6 mile to Pearl St. Turn right. Go 9 blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel on left. Start box at front desk.  Parking: Metered parking is free on weekends; the least expense weekday parking is at "The Jacksonville Landing" parking lot on Water St.

                Event Info:  Daily dawn to dusk. Trail is rated 1+ and is not suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. This event covers both shores of the Jacksonville riverfront. You will experience the Jacksonville Landing with its many shops and restaurants. You will go through the city with its tall buildings and see the sports complex with the Alltel Stadium (home of the Jaguars), the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds and the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. You will witness Friendship Fountain and the centuries old Treaty Oak. The Start/Walk box is located in a room adjacent to, or, behind the hotel reception/check in desk/counter.

  JACKSONVILLE, FL – San Marco – 5K and 10K walks (YRE1661) Jan 1-Dec 31.

Event Special Classification - Riverwalk American and Railroad Heritage

                   Point of Contact:  Therese Lee, 904-707-6823, tlee@smithhulsey.com or Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, headforger@firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

                   Start Point:  Omni Hotel, 245 Water St. Jacksonville,FL 32202 904-355-6664 - San Marco walk - From I-95 NORTHBOUND - take exit 352B (Forsyth St.) Go about .9 mile to Pearl St. Turn right. Go two blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel on left. From I-95 SOUTHBOUND - take left lane exit 353B (West Union St.) Go left toward Riverfront/Sports Complex. Go about .6 mile to Pearl St. Turn right. Go 9 blocks to Water St. Turn left. Hotel is on left. Start box is at front desk.  Parking: Metered parking is free on weekends; the least expense weekday parking is at "The Jacksonville Landing" parking lot on Water St.