Seattle Culture
Essentials: Hot Girl Walk Thaws Seattle Freeze
Weekend walkers come together for friendship, community
By Rob Smith May 10, 2023
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of Seattle magazine.
What began as a way for Courtney Byers to meet some friends in a city known for the “Seattle Freeze” has blossomed into a full-on army.
Byers, a women’s strength coach and birth doula who recently moved to the area, created the Seattle chapter of Hot Girl Walk last August. Two women showed up.
Nine months later, the group now numbers about 2,400 Facebook members, many of whom meet at 11 a.m. every Sunday — rain or shine — in different parts of the city for community and movement.
“Every weekend new people join,” says Byers, noting that the biggest group of walkers was 45 women in the dead of winter. “Now that the sun is out, I’m anticipating and planning for larger groups. We are a group for the girls, gays, and theys, as I like to call it.”
The Seattle chapter has even begun partnering with local businesses for activities, giveaways, sporting events, and volunteer opportunities.
More information can be found on the group’s Instagram page: instagram.com/seattlehotgirlwalk/.
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