Walker-Friendly Marathons

Walker-Friendly Marathons
by Erin Kandel

Once the domain of the running elite, many marathons are now welcoming walkers to the starting line. As marathon walking becomes more popular, more and more races open their courses to walkers. Still, certain marathons are noticeably more "walker-friendly" than others. If you're a walker seeking a little competition without the hassle of "runners only" races, look no further. In response to the dozens of inquiries we've received from readers, here is our list of the best walker-friendly marathons.

Largest Number of Walkers

Ever felt like the only walker in a sea of marathon runners? Have no fear - at these U.S. races, you're definitely not a fish out of water. The Honolulu Marathon and the City of Los Angeles (L.A. Marathon), two of the biggest U.S. races, host the largest fields of marathon walkers - they total close to 40% of these races' nearly 20,000 participants. With over 7,000 in Honolulu and 4,000 in L.A., walkers at these events enjoy plenty of walking buddies to bond with over 26.2 miles.

1. Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI
2. City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon) - Los Angeles, CA
3. Rock n' Roll Marathon - San Diego, CA
4. Portland Marathon - Portland, OR
5. Marine Corps Marathon - Washington DC
6. Bataan Memorial Death March - White Sands Missile Range, NM
7. New York City Marathon - New York, NY
8. Chicago Marathon - Chicago, IL
9. Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon - Anchorage, AK

Longest Course Time

Essential to walker-friendly marathons are long course limits that allow walkers enough time to finish the race and receive their well deserved medals. The following races keep their courses open over 8 hours, maintain fluid stations and marshals on the course to encourage walkers, and don't disassemble the finish area until nearly every last walker has crossed the finish line.

1. Bataan Memorial Death March - White Sands Missile Range, NM
2. Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI
3. Green Bay Marathon - Green Bay, WI
4. Maui Marathon - Maui, HI
5. Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon - Anchorage, AK
6. Kona Marathon - Keauhou-Kona, HI
7. Avenue of the Giants Marathon - Eureka, CA
8. New York City Marathon - New York City, NY
9. San Diego Marathon - Carlsbad, CA

Highest Walker Percentage

Compared to other running events, these marathons had the biggest percentages of walkers as their participants. Though runners were usually still the majority, at these races, the number of walkers was not dwarfed by the amount of runners. Walkers comprised anywhere from 17 to 40 to over 80 percent of the entrants, reflecting how popular marathon walking has become.

If you want a true walker's marathon - with a few militaristic provisions - then the Bataan Memorial Death March is your ticket. Weighing in at over 84% walkers, with an unlimited course time (the slowest marcher finished in just under 13 hours), this race exceeds the usual definition of "walker-friendly." To honor World War II heroes, military servicemen - in regulation boots and camouflage gear - and civilians alike walk this 26.2 road march through the desert, toting a mandatory 35-pound rucksack (yeah, that will definitely slow your pace a little).

1. Bataan Memorial Death March - White Sands Missile Range, NM
2. Kona Marathon - Keauhou-Kona, HI
3. Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI
4. City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon) - Los Angeles, CA
5. Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon - Anchorage, AK
6. Portland Marathon - Portland, OR
7. Disney World Marathon - Orlando, FL
8. Catalina Marathon - Catalina Island, CA
9. Rock n' Roll Marathon - San Diego, CA

Top Walker-Friendly Races by Season

Come rain or shine, snow or brisk autumn breezes, walkers have several race options to choose from each season. Here are some of the best picks for the year-round walker:

Fall Races

• September
  • Portland Marathon - Portland, OR - September
• October
  • Chicago Marathon - Chicago, IL - October
  • Baltimore Marathon - Baltimore, MD - October
  • Spirit of St. Louis Marathon - St. Louis, MO - October
  • Marine Corps Marathon - Washington DC - October
• November
  • New York City Marathon - New York City, NY - November

Winter Races

• December
  • Hops Marathon by the Bay - Tampa, FL - December
  • Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI - December
• January
  • Disney World Marathon - Orlando, FL - January
  • San Diego Marathon - Carlsbad, CA - January
• February
  • Myrtle Beach Marathon - Myrtle Beach, SC - February
  • Mardi Gras Marathon - New Orleans, LA - February

Spring Races

• March
  • City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon) - Los Angeles, CA - March
  • Catalina Marathon - Catalina Island, CA - March
  • Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon - Virginia Beach, VA - March
• April
  • Bataan Memorial Death March- White Sands Missile Range, NM - April
  • Country Music Marathon - Nashville, TN - April
  • Oklahoma City Marathon - Oklahoma City, OK - April

Summer Races

• May
  • Avenue of the Giants Marathon - Eureka, CA - May
  • Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon - Cincinnati, OH - May
• June
  • Rock n' Roll Marathon - San Diego, CA - June
  • Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon - Anchorage, AK - June
  • Green Bay Marathon - Green Bay, WI - June
  • Kona Marathon - Keauhou-Kona, HI - June

International Walker-Friendly Marathons

Marathon walking doesn't stop at the States. A few prestigious international marathons, including the London Marathon and Dublin Marathon, have high walker participation - giving walkers some global options to choose from.

• Dublin Marathon - Dublin, Ireland - October
• London Marathon - London, United Kingdom - April
• Vancouver Internatioanl Marathon - Vancouver, Canada - May