What is a “walker friendly” marathon?
I think most walkers want to feel as if an event sees the quality of their effort is equal with that of runners and therefore that they deserve equal treatment with runners. What they don't want is for a (deservedly) respected magazine like, Runners' World to sponsor the equivalent of a class war over who's better. To me, that's like arguing whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. That's just a gimmick to get people to run around with their knickers in a knot over . . . well, not much. Puh-leeeeeeezse! -- Either way, a tomato's good for you!
So, how do you know if a marathon is "walker friendly"?
Walkers want to be certain that the marathon route will be clearly marked and/or staffed by volunteers to direct them for the full time that participants are allowed to be on the course. If chip timing used, they want to know that the timing mats will be there for all participants throughout the event. If support will be gradually withdrawn from the course as the day progresses, walkers want that information stated with the event description.
If participants will barred from finishing after a certain point, they want to know in advance. (I don't argue that an event shouldn't and couldn't reasonably limit the time participants are allotted to complete the event, but, this should clearly be stated in race materials-“only those who can complete this event in (say) 7 hours will be supported.” Simple. Clear. Complete.)
If there will be changes to the course, if participants will be asked at a certain point to move to sidewalks, walkers want that information up front and in a clear way, all of this so they can make informed decisions
And, it wouldn't hurt if the “public face” of the event were evident throughout the day to let all participants know that their efforts are valued and their personal triumphs celebrated.
The first place to look is the race entry form. If the premise is that runners and walkers may be treated equally is a part the event committee's core belief's, you will notice equality and parallelism in the language of the form. It will give you checkbox options for “marathon” and other boxes for shorter events like, a 10k or 5-Miler. Or, the entry form may offer you the opportunity to further define your intentions with boxes for “run” and also for “walk”; it may invite you to check for racewalk, Nordic walk or other options. It will not lack the parallelism, as does one large west coast event, by offering you the option of either “marathon” or “26.2 mile marathon walk”.
The faster you are, the less likely you will have a clue there might be a disparity in the way faster and slower participants are treated. If you're not a “bunny rabbit”, how will you know what to expect?
Marathons typically post the number of hours the course will be open-if they don't, ask before you enter. Consider this number carefully. At the front of the pack, if you're fast enough to finish well within the window of time specified for the event to be open, you are likely to have access to support of some kind throughout your event.
If you are a slower walker-7+ hour finisher, the scene is likely to change.
As your time nears the outside edges of that window, support is likely
to dwindle substantially and it's possible it will also go away altogether.
And, if an event will take you longer than the specified number of hours,
a) aid, support and medical personnel might be removed
the course ahead of you,
b) course route directions might be absent,
c) you may be allowed to continue, but asked to walk on sidewalks,
d) it's possible that you will be barred from continuing on the course
route at all and,
e) you may or may not receive a finishers' medal and/or shirt.
Fine! So, the moniker “walker friendly” is a big ole “maybe”.
What's a walker to do? Should I even bother with the event?
If you are a slower walker--7+ hour finisher--the scene is likely to change as the day goes on.
Here's my not so humble opinion on the matter:
1) Know in advance what to expect! Look at the race's web site. How long is the course going to be open? If you think you will be out there longer than or near the end of the advertised window, e-mail the race director and get answers to these important questions:
o If I am on the course longer then the specified “x” number of hours, will I be allowed to finish?
o In this case, will I receive my finishers' medal and shirt?
o If volunteers have departed the course, how will the course be identified so that I will know where to go?
o Are there any restrictions to my participation?
2) Train! Find a good marathon walking schedule (not a watered down run program), get a good coach, find the most current information and get your buns out the door.
3) Take care of yourself as if you were going to get nothing from the event! Carry your own fluids and food. If the event is prepared for you and provides adequate aid and support, that's terrific. If not, you will know before the start gun goes off that you are well prepared to go the distance.
4) Only enter a race where you receive timely answers to these questions and events where you will be able to finish and receive your “bling”, that is, a medal and fashion finishers' shirt. Without satisfactory guarantees, take your money elsewhere.
5) Lastly, take all the precautions you can for medical emergencies in case medical aid is either gone or poorly prepared. Carry a charged cell phone to use to call for help. Make sure you've programmed in your “ICE-In Case of Emergency” numbers. Wear ID either around your neck or on your wrist, not on your shoe. Make sure you have your essential medications with you and that you've talked to your health care provider about what to expect from your meds if you are doing endurance events in a variety of conditions.
Train! Find a good marathon walking schedule (not a watered down run program), get a good coach, find the most current information and get your buns out the door.
Let me say here, too, that I am very fond of a quote by Viktor Frankel,
author of the book Man's Search for Meaning. Frankel was sent to a concentration
camp during World War II. He lost most of his family and countless friends
in the death camps and, wondered why he was spared when so many he identified
as equally strong and healthy were not. What he determined was that, when
every shred of human dignity is stripped away, “ . . . the last of
human freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude in any given set
of circumstances.”
Isn't that an interesting take? The “last of human freedoms”!
Hmm, . . . Bottom line? If you enter a race, give yourself a good time!
If walkers want events that are truly to their core beliefs equal in all
ways for both runners and walkers, they will have to take their money
to events that really have arrived there. Certainly, looking elsewhere
is one option. On the other hand, there aren't many events that really
are “walker friendly” as we've defined here so, that option
would seriously hamper the options available to walkers.
Someday this will all be a ridiculous conversation. After all, we figured
out that equal education, voting rights for all, equality in employment
and Title 9 were the right thing to do, and all in my brief lifetime!
We could give up marathon runs and keep our money in our pockets (that
would certainly have an impact) or, let the responsibility for a great
event fall on our own shoulders until the runs catch up. They will catch
up. It's the right thing to do and we're here to stay.