I wouldn't suggest that someone do something that I haven't already done.  Marathon to Marathon, Iowa, June 2005, 6 hours and 6 minutes.  I walked that race with my wife because she couldn't run. She suffered a broken foot after she won the Minot, ND Marathon and then running the Med City race a few weeks later.  My tone is challenging because people are minimizing things they haven't done themselves.  Walking 26.2 miles isn't as easy as you think it is.  Walking uses leg muscles in a different way from running and the pain is completely different from what is experienced running a marathon.  Up to that point I thought walking would be a piece of cake.  2006 was the year we finished the 50 states (5 yrs) and we only finished 18 marathons that year.  But that was well over 75 marathons ago.

The Fort Worth Marathon I am running this weekend has a walkers option starting at 6:30AM, but my wife isn't going to get up that early.  Runners don't start until 7:30.  I think the San Antonio marathon I am running the following weekend has a walkers option too.  Walking is also an option in the 50K I am running the weekend after San Antonio.

I didn't walk 3 weeks after foot surgery when I ran the 2008 Surfside marathon.  But Surfside and the Austin marathon a week later were awful painful.

I am not sure how a 60 mile 3 day walk would be.  I certainly wouldn't minimize what that entails.  I have run several doubles, two marathons in a weekend, but no triples.  I have run over 100 miles in 41 hours when my 2 person team completed in the March 2008, 200 mile, Texas Independence Relay.  My wife and I ran it.  Even though I wasn't walking I wouldn't call my speed in the final 25 miles a run.

If you haven't experienced it then your words are just words with no meaning.

Sorry, my fault for paying attention to the subject line:  "Plodders" (I hate that word) in Marathons.

20 miles is admirable, and just about the halfway point of endurance when running a marathon.  I'm fuzzy on where to place 20 with respect to walking 26.2, but for many it would be at least another 75-90 minutes of walking.

The challenge is 26.2.

Mary,  with all due respect, just because you can walk a marathon with no training.. some people are not in your superior condition.  For some of us walking a marathon is an accomplishment to be proud of.  You can chastise us all you want, but if the marathon allows for walkers than so be it.  I'm sure you will say your not chastizing..but it comes across that way at least to me.   You are entitled to your opinion that marathons are meant to be run!  But if the organizers say walkers are welcome than we are.  I am a beginning runner and no where near your level of awesomeness.  Congratulations to you for being in better shape than me!  I can tell you are very proud of that!  My ultimate goal is to run a marathon the full way but until than I will walk/run and do my best with the handicaps I have.   I just feel we should all support and encourage each other.   Your opinion is from the perspective of an accomplished runner.. mine is from that of an older not in great shape beginning runner.  I guess it makes sense we look at this differently.  At least both sides have had an opportunity to say how they feel and why.    No offense meant.. I'm not sure how old you are but keep in mind age plays in to this as well.    Good luck in your future runs.. I don't think I'll ever be in your corral but I will be out there trying my best and working hard to get in shape.    Sincerely,  Jess

Thank You Spice Geek.  A nice perspective from a runner (you) who has some excellent times.   Your Godzilla comment made me smile when I was feeling sad.   I just think that we are ALL  fortunate to be able to get out there and enjoy the opportunites.  There are so many variables to what makes a good clock  time.  We are all individuals with our own story.    I'm so thankful I'm healthy enough to get out there and participate.      I meet the nicest people out there hiking and running.  I'm very active in a hiking club and working to be able to run as well.      Jess

Very true Persian!  Weather it is intentional or not I have found the comments against plodders trying to participate discouraging.   BUT  it won't stop me from doing the best I can and working towards improving.