Comments on: Walking in Marathons: Does it Disrespect the Race?

By: Leeva

Leeva — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 18:56:03 +0000

I have done two 5ks – running both and it kicks my butt. I am hypothyroid, so no matter how well I eat, how hard I train, my metabolism is still sluggish and I get fatigued way too easily, but I don’t give up on my running goals.

Please don’t judge walkers. They are out there trying, possibly even with a health issue or prosthetic limb. Mind your own business and worry about your own time/goal/accomplishments.

I am considering a half-marathon and I will walk if I need to. I can walk faster than some of the slowest runners, so do not judge those who walk, because some day it could be you that needs to walk.

By: Jaclyn

Jaclyn — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 06:40:33 +0000

I have completed 9 1/2 marathons; and I will be completing my first full marathon in la in March 2019. I am a 3 x open heart surgery baby; and no matter how many races I complete; or how much training I have….I cannot push faster. But I am okay with this. I am a mommy to two kids and I am doing what many believed I would never do. I may take longer than most… but I am consistent and I am healthy.

By: Amy Beth

Amy Beth — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:26:29 +0000

In reply to Diane. Hi Diane! Congrats on your weight loss and aspirations to do a marathon! I'm 51 and have lost a lot of weight walking as well. I didn't realize it was possible to walk a marathon until reading this article. I thought everyone had to run (walking only allowed when facing exhaustion). lol If you get this message, would love to hear about your marathon experiences. Best wishes! Amy Beth

By: David

David — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 22:25:56 +0000

I just “completed” my first full marathon. I did it to honor two wives I lost to cancer. I am one of those “walkers” that did manage to run the last mile over the finish line. I’m disappointed I couldn’t run the entire race, but my body just “quit” at 15 miles. The hills were my Waterloo. All this being said, 5, 10k and half marathons are my style. I can say I completed a full marathon, first and last.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 20:24:39 +0000

In reply to WiiFatMarathonDotCom. Thank you for sharing! I've lost 35 pounds and walk everyday know and have a trainer at the gym. I am 52 and want to walk/jog a marathon or half marathon to start! You just gave me re courage to do it! Thanks!! Diane

By: Hope

Hope — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:14:14 +0000

In reply to Broussca. I cheer for them.. cause I am proud of them and they need encouragement just like the rest of us. As long as you give your best you are a winner. I am doing a Marathon soon 1/10/16 and I am excited and freaked out but I plan to do the run 3 miles walk 1 or 2 minutes and then at the last 5 miles just run the rest. My goal is to have fun and finish this race.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 03:20:51 +0000

Ken,
Congratulations on all your achievements. But please don’t say the winner didn’t work any harder than you. The winner ran at least as hard as you and has worked on handling more pain than most ordinary people can fathom. I’m reading so many comments on this thread that belittle the efforts of race winners and fast finishers, ‘gazelles’ etc. People, please practice what you preach.

By: Greg quiles

Greg quiles — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 23:42:47 +0000

In reply to WiiFatMarathonDotCom. Amen.

By: Emma Flynn

Emma Flynn — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:41:41 +0000

In reply to John. You're not making much sense. Isn't the whole point of a race to get to the finish line as fast as possible! If you get to the finish faster taking walk breaks than if you don't then isn't it the obvious thing to do!!! Can't stop laughing at that comment :-)

By: john

john — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 19:11:47 +0000

In reply to Prodvegas.

To all of you complainers who like to take the achievement away from walkers, please tell me how much your life was affected in such a negative way by these walkers?
Tell me how much sleep you have lost in your life because someone you don’t know and that same someone who could care less about you and your race time, decided to walk?
Please tell me you take the time and energy to get upset and disheveled when you see a walker on the course.
Please tell me that the walker damaged your capability to run and you will never have the chance to run again.

It is bad enough that society has insecure people but do you have to let your insecurities ruin it for others?
Is it the fact that you feel so much like a nobody that you can’t allow another to feel like a somebody?

By: joe

joe — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:53:08 +0000

In reply to Prodvegas.

just curious, how much was your time affected by all the walking cheaters on the course?

did these cheaters really ruin your moment when you crossed the finish line?
I ran/walked a marathon as a dedication to my son I lost.
Hope my cheating did disgrace your finish time

And BTW, did you ever consider the people finishing before you consider you a disgrace to the race?
There is always someone better than you, remember that.

By: FoundingFathersGhost

FoundingFathersGhost — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 04:09:20 +0000

I think it is a matter of degree. Walking the entire 26.2 miles is not really running a marathon. It is a really long walk. I suppose it is completing a marathon in a warped way. At the other end of the scale, taking a walk break at drink stations, is that okay? That sounds more like race management. But what about taking a 1 minute walk break every mile? Probably still race management. Or walking 25% of the race? There has to be a line somewhere. That is job of profession organizations to define, if anyone cares enough to bother. What if someone can “run” the race faster by taking walk breaks, should they be ostracized for that? That would be like saying a gambit in chess is wrong or fouling in basketball at the end of games is wrong.