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Bible Encyclopedias
Walking Races
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
or A form of athletic sports, either on road or track. Road walking is the older form of the sport. The records for the chief walking distances were as follows in 1910: - The record distance walked in I hour was 8 m. 339 yds. by the English amateur G. E. Larner in 1905; in 8 hours, 50 m. 1190 yds. by another English amateur, J. Butler, in 1905; in 24 hours, 131 m. 5804 yds. by T. E. Hammond in 1908.
About the year 1875 there was a revival of interest in professional walking, which took the form of "go-as-you-please" competitions, extending over several days, usually six. These may be classed as walking contests, for, although running was allowed, it was seldom practised, excepting for a few moments at a time, for the purpose of relief from cramped muscles. The great difficulty in competitive walking is to keep within the rules. A "fair gait" is one in which one foot touches the ground before the other leaves it, only one leg being bent in stepping, namely, that which is being put forward.
These files are public domain.
Chisholm, Hugh, General Editor. Entry for 'Walking Races'. 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/bri/w/walking-races.html. 1910.
