The Elizabeth River Trail Holds Inaugural ERT Olympics
Featured Article by A’Lauren Gilchrist
In conjunction with the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Elizabeth River Trail held its first-ever Summer Olympics to bring together the communities of Norfolk through various outdoor activities, games, food, and friendly competition. With three stellar locations, the ERT
Olympics took place at Jeff Robertson Park, Plum Point Park, and Water Street Open Space, all located on the 10.5-mile trail. With different activities at each location, the trail truly embodied their “something for everyone” motto.
In true Olympic fashion, an opening ceremony called the games to order, complete with a flame and the raising of Olympic rings, festivities kicked off at Jeff Roberson Park, with a torch-bearing procession led by Norfolk State University’s head volleyball coach, Kathy Bullock, accompanied by daughters of trail family, Sarcone, dressed in Grecian white. After the National Anthem was played, Executive Director Kindra Greene energized the crowd with opening remarks alongside Councilwoman Doyle who showed up in red, white, and blue in support of TEAM USA.
After the Opening Ceremony, there was plenty to do at Jeff Robertson Park to let the games begin, including bib decorating hosted by Creative Reuse Center, where each participant created a unique “race” bib to wear during the event. Keep Norfolk Beautiful sponsored a noise-maker station for those who wanted to cheer on their friends and family. Tidewater Striders, hosted the ADA- accessible “Walk, Run, Roll” station and Norfolk Therapeutic Recreation Center hosted a sensory tent. Other fun activities included hula hooping, a children’s obstacle course, a sack race, face painting, and a Capoeira workshop. Before shifting to Plum Point Park, participants were given a commemorative pin to add to their bib.
Moving to the second location, Plum Point Park had participants full of excitement and cheer, with several activities across the park. Activities included archery, disc golf, the adult obstacle course along with live boxing workshops and demonstrations hosted by Norfolk Boxing. For the relaxed Olympian, Yoga and mindfulness demonstrations were held to limber up the body and relax the mind.
The biggest attraction at Plum Point Park was the “equestrian” activity, which saw participants “riding” gigantic plush ponies through the course and even “leaping” over hurdles. Volunteers Jillisa Milner and Heidi Ault came all the way from Williamsburg and Richmond, respectively to show their Olympic spirit and love for the ERT and specifically asked to be stationed at the equestrian event. Both emphasized the importance of the accessible resources the ERT has to offer.
Milner said, “The ERT is such an amazing resource for our community.” Their station brought together participants of all ages willing to race with the plush ponies.
Ault added, “Who doesn’t want to work with ponies!”
As participants grabbed their second commemorative pin, the party got started down at Water Street Open Space. At noon, Greene initiated the closing ceremony with appreciative remarks for the volunteers and participants and a playing of the National Anthem. Participants who had made it throughout the day were able to pick up their last commemorative pin and stand on the ERT Olympics Podium for pictures to commemorate this special day.
The celebration included music, smoothies, coffee and global cuisine. Other vendors were there as well to foster an environment of community and fun for the Olympians to relax and recharge in a village atmosphere.
Overall, the first ERT Olympics was a success, with more than 150 men, women, and children celebrating as a community. Although we’ll have to wait until 2028 for the next Olympics, fans of the ERT can look forward to participating in an annual ERT Field Day to train for the next Summer Games and enjoy the trail until then.
