Mon, 04 May 2026 13:08:13 +0000

Are You Walking 13 Miles and Thinking It’s a Marathon? Understanding the Facts If you’ve ever laced up your walking shoes for what feels like an entire 13-mile day, only to realize it wasn’t a marathon, you’re not alone. Many people confuse long walk sessions with actual running or marathon standards—especially when energy levels and storytelling collide. But is it really a marathon if your feet stayed on solid ground the whole time? Let’s break it down. ### What Counts as Running a Marathon? A marathon is officially defined as a long-distance running race of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers). It’s not just about distance—it’s about pace, effort, and athleticism. Participants train extensively to build endurance, speed, and stamina for these 26.2 miles under race conditions. Comparing a 13-mile walk to a marathon may seem misleading because both involve sustained physical exertion, but the metrics differ dramatically.