- Top Features:
- War Room
- Glenn Greenwald
- Broadsheet
- Joan Walsh
- Camille Paglia
- Since You Asked
- Follow Salon:
Read other letters about this article
I came out to watch a friend run in Chicago this year. At the two mile mark hundreds of folks were walking. That is not racing and it was hard, almost embarrassing to keep cheering as they walked past me. A marathon is a race.
I also marathon, but on inline skates, a wonderful sport which is losing popularity in the US as it gains in the rest of the world. Those races all have minimum finishing times. If you are too slow you get swept up. Mind you, this time is still quite generous, but races run on volunteers and if you aren't willing to work, why should someone come out and volunteer for you?
I compete most years in the Athens to Atlanta Road Skate, an 87 mile event in GA. As I age I know in my head that my P.B. is most likely behind me, but in my heart I still hope for that one great tail wind to carry me home to another record finish. THAT is what walkers are missing, the thrill of competing. The thrill of the crowd to cheer them on as they sprint for the finish.
