Marathon Walkers

What is the typical walking time to finish a marathon?

Four hours to eight hours. You'd be surprised how many can just crank out eleven-minute, ten-minute miles walking. It's really spectacular. Or, you can take the twenty-minute per mile approach and finish in eight hours.

Is there training for marathon walkers?

Absolutely! Every marathon has a training program now. It is really a new concept in marathon training across America. Many people now walk the marathon, and you will find that the mean time, the average time, of the marathon is getting slower and slower, but the numbers of people running them are getting higher. This is because more and more people are now walking the marathon.

Are there special rules for marathon walkers?

There are no special rules to be a marathon walker, none at all. Just one foot in front of the other. If they have a special category for race walking, then that's a different situation. This is because race walking requires a certain technique, where one foot has always got to be on the ground. They watch that very carefully. However, if you're not in that category, and few are, then just step out and walk anywhere you want.

Do all marathons accept walkers?

Not all marathons accept walkers. Some of them have a time limit that will not allow walkers because the time spent is too short for walkers to be in.

What is the most important thing for marathon walkers to remember?

I think the most important thing to keep in mind being a marathon walker is that you are not any different than a runner. In fact, you should look at yourself as a runner and not anything less. You still have to have a plan. You still have to develop a pace and you still have to work on a training program to take you through your contests in a proficient manner.