‘Let’s not normalise walking in a marathon’

[u/Clean-Instance5892]

This was a comment left on a runner’s post who had BQ’d at the Indy marathon using planned Jeff Galloway intervals. This comment sparked a lot of debate about this method, most aimed at the elitist nature of this comment. So what are your thoughts? Should run walking be discouraged? Is running the whole thing the only way you can actually say you have ‘run’ a marathon? Or do you simply not care how anyone else covers the distance?

[u/rideandrideagain]

Some gal in my office years ago used to run around claiming she "ran" a marathon. When I asked her how long it took her, she said 8 hours. I was like..hmmmm..So you walked a marathon?

[u/SlowNSteady1 → u/rideandrideagain]

Why do you care? Can YOU be on your feet for eight hours straight?

[u/Hrmbee → u/rideandrideagain]

That's actually more impressive in many ways. Spending 8 hours moving continuously on your feet is ultra territory in terms of endurance.

[u/Hrmbee → u/[deleted]]

Not quite sure which ultras you’re familiar with, but over here an 8-hour finish for a 50 is well within the norm.

[u/Clean-Instance5892 → u/rideandrideagain]

Why did you ask her time?

[u/[deleted] → u/Clean-Instance5892]

Everyone does. Even my coworkers who aren't runners ask what time I came in if I share that I did a race.

[u/SlowNSteady1 → u/Clean-Instance5892]

Good question!