Volksmarch celebrates 40 years

Forty years and thousands of miles later, the Crazy Horse Volksmarch is still going strong.
Last Saturday marked the 40th rendition of the Crazy Horse Spring Volksmarch, and two days prior to the march itself a group of Crazy Horse, American Volkssport Association (AVA) and its Black Hills Chapter celebrated the 40th anniversary with a press conference, reception and fellowship at  Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy Horse Memorial.
“We’re very grateful to those of you who are part of the AVA and local Black Hills Chapter,” said Whitney Rencountre II, CEO of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. “We put so much time, effort and energy into preparing for this weekend. We are appreciative for the years of collaboration and support bringing the Volksmarch here to Crazy Horse Memorial. This is a special time for our organization.”
Rencountre gave recognition to founding members Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski, along with Chief Henry Standing Bear, saying they helped cultivate the organization to what it is today. Ruth worked with the AVA, having a vision and dream as to what the Volksmarch could become and has become, bringing people from all over the world to march to the top of the carving.
The virst Volksmarch took place June 21-22, 1986, and had 1,000 walkers. By 1995 the walk was breaking 10,000 walkers for the weekend, and experienced a record 14,000  marchers in 1998 when Crazy Horse used a three-day weekend to unveil the carving’s finished face.
In 2023 the Volksmarch was scaled back to one day, as volunteers began to dwindle and the stress of two days became a little much for staff at the memorial.
The change has been well received, as there were 4,482 marchers 2022—the final year of a two-day march—followed by 5,367 the next year. Last year there were 6,110 who made the trek to the top of the carving.
Dr. Jade Herman, chair of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, also told those gathered at the press conference the event is a way to build community through service and a unique exprerience to get up close and personal with such a monument mission.
“We appreciate the work the AVA has done. I appreciate the work all of the staff does out here to get things ready for it,” she said. “And all our volunteers. It takes a small army to make things happen and continue to make it bigger and better.”
Amanda Allcock, director of Sales, Marketing, and Tourism at the memorial, also touted the volunteers, naming various sports teams, nonprofits and others who have pitched in over the years.
She also noted how large the Care and Share Food Drive, something that was near and dear to Ruth, had become. Marchers can get free admission to the memorial the day of the march by bringing three food items for the food drive, which in the past has yielded as much as 18 pallets of food for area food pantries and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Also speaking was Carl Cordes, board chair for the AVA, who said the mission of the AVA is to promote and organize non-competitive physical fitness activities that encourage lifelong fun, fitness and friendship for all ages and abilities. It was founded as a nonprofit in 1976, and celebrated its 50th anniversary with signature events across the country.
“A friendship was created here 40 years ago between the Crazy Horse Memorial team and our local club,” he said.
He called the Crazy Horse Volksmarch one of the premier annual events for the AVA.
“We welcome walkers from across the nation and around the world,” he said. “Selfies don’t get any better than this.”
Cordes also presented a certificate to Rencountre for Crazy Horse Memorial in recognition to the memorial and foundation’s commitment to promoting health and wellness through AVA America’s 50th anniversary celebration. An official challenge coin—with the 40th anniversary of the Crazy Horse Volkmarch celebrated on one side and the 50th anniversary of the AVA on the other—was also presented to Rencountre.
Henry Rosales, CEO of AVA, said the AVA has 2,500 walking routes across the country, but Crazy Horse is one of his favorites.
“I love coming out here. In many ways it’s a pilgrimage for lots of folks who come out here,” he said. “It’s so unique and so special. It’s a community.”
Rosales also praised the many aspects of the memorial, calling it an economic generator for the region.
Allcock closed out the press conference by saying the Volksmarch has become a generational event, as people who started coming in 1986 now come back with their children and grandchildren to enjoy the trek up the mountain.