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The story goes that a champion, who was racing in London, requested jars of water from Chester, 200 miles (321 km) away, because it was the water he had drunk during training.
For most people, walking is one of the easiest and most accessible types of exercise. But even walking can be taken to the extreme. This is exactly what happened in the 19th century in the midst of endurance walking feats. From London to New York, people were excited about watching other people walk. So much so that crowds would flock to venues to see people compete against each other in walking competitions!
Pedestrianism was a quick fad that exploded into popularity, but soon died out. In this gallery, we'll tell you the story of how walking became one of the greatest spectator sports in both Britain and the US. Click on for more.
Like rock stars who have preposterous backstage demands, famous pedestrians also had theirs.
Weston (pictured in the middle) was nicknamed "Weston the Pedestrian."
The introduction of bicycle races led to the popularity of pedestrianism dying out. Endurance walking events still exist to this day, just not in the same format.
Sources: (Smithsonian Magazine) (BBC) (Podium Cafe)
See also: Cycling culture around the world
With the rapid industrialization, people were flocking to cities and taking up factory jobs, often working night and early morning shifts. Since pedestrian events ran continuously for six days, they were always accessible and cost little money to attend.
The Royal Agricultural Hall hosted many pedestrian races, too, especially after the famous American pedestrian Edward Payson Weston moved to England.
Famous pedestrians would be given nicknames. For instance, William Gale was known as the "Long-winded walker of Cardiff."
The Great Six Days Races became the greatest pedestrian events to take place in the US. The event was held in the original Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The prize was well worth the effort. They would win US$25,000 (over $670,000 in today’s money) and a silver belt with the words "Long Distance Champion of the World" engraved on it.
Contestants would wear tight leggings and small shorts as part of their uniform. Some would carry an object in their hands, too.
Up to 70,000 spectators watched contestants walk in circles for six days in a row, until laps equivalent to at least 450 miles (724 km) were completed.
But before he became a well-paid pedestrian, Weston caught America’s attention when he walked 478 miles (769 km) from Boston to Washington, D.C. in 1861. He completed the journey in 10 days and 10 hours.
In 1876, Weston was found to be using a stimulant to beat fatigue and hunger. He was chewing coca leaves while he walked.
Frank Hart was the first African American to hold a pedestrianism world record. In 1879, he walked 565 miles (909 km) and won US$21,567 in prize money (the equivalent to more than $700,000 in today’s money).
Edward Payson Weston took his walking show on the road after the Civil War, and it was a success. “He’s so apolitical, and I think that helped his popularity,” said Matthew Algeo, the author of 'Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America's Favorite Spectator Sport.’
The famous walk took place because he lost a bet to a friend as a result of the 1860 presidential election. Abraham Lincoln won, and Weston arrived in Washington just in time to attend Lincoln's inaugural ball.
“He could go anywhere and walk, and people wouldn’t object to it,” Algeo added.
The sport that would become racewalking got its first set of rules by the end of the 1800s. One of these was the "fair heel and toe" rule, which essentially meant that the toe of one foot had to stay on the ground until the heel of the next foot touched down on the ground.
The first woman known to have walked 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in 1,000 hours was Emma Sharp. She completed the challenge on October 29, 1864.
Sharp inspired other walkers, such as Ada Anderson, who managed to walk 1,500 miles (2,400 km) in 1,000 hours. Anderson was dubbed "Champion Lady Walker of the World" by the press at the time.
The sport grew and expanded across the pond. Pedestrians became America’s first fitness influencers. They would not only attract thousands to watch them, but used the contests to promote products.
The sport took off in America, with long walkers such as Edward Payson Weston, who in 1867 won a whopping US$10,000 by walking 1,136 miles (1,828 km) from Portland, Maine, to Chicago, Illinois, in 30 days.
More and more people got involved in pedestrianism. In 1845, George Wilson, aka the "Blackheath Pedestrian," attempted to walk 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in 480 hours, but was arrested for “disturbing the peace.”
Captain Robert Barclay Allardice, aka Captain Barclay, was called "The Celebrated Pedestrian." Between June 1 and July 12, 1809, Captain Barclay walked 1 mile (1.6 km) every hour for 1,000 hours.
Pedestrianism began in the 1800s in Britain and Ireland. Much like other sports, such as horse racing, pedestrianism soon became a popular spectator sport.
A man called Foster Powell became famous for walking 400 miles (640 km) from London to York and back, this in 1773. He’s considered one of the trailblazers of the sport.
Pedestrianism: when walking was a competitive sport
When professional walkers had the world at their feet
LIFESTYLE 19th century
For most people, walking is one of the easiest and most accessible types of exercise. But even walking can be taken to the extreme. This is exactly what happened in the 19th century in the midst of endurance walking feats. From London to New York, people were excited about watching other people walk. So much so that crowds would flock to venues to see people compete against each other in walking competitions!
Pedestrianism was a quick fad that exploded into popularity, but soon died out. In this gallery, we'll tell you the story of how walking became one of the greatest spectator sports in both Britain and the US. Click on for more.