#nationalwalkingday

[harvardfineartslib]

Happy National Walking Day!

Pedestrianism, a form of competitive walking, became popular in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Britain and Ireland, and spread in the United States.

Racers walked for hundreds of miles around a track in six-day races and the one who walked the furthest distance was the winner. In the United States, watching people walk was the most popular spectator sport in the late 1880s.  

Edward Payson Weston (1839–1929) was an American pedestrian. He became famous when he walked 478 miles from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. in 10 days and 10 hours, from February 22 to March 4 in 1861. During the walk, he faced snow, rain, and mud, fell several times, and ate while walking.

This portrait is entitled, “Edward Payson Weston Walking from Portland to Chicago.” It must be from 1867 when he covered over 1,200 miles in 26 days. He won a prize of $10,000, but also received several death threats from gamblers who bet against him. He lived to be 90 years old.

We have many other portraits of pedestrians like Weston in our collection of Portraits of boxers and other athletes!

Edward Payson Weston walking from Portland to Chicago Kellog & Bulkeley, printer. 43cmx33cm Harvard Fine Arts Library, Special Collections VSCO230.00310 VSCO230 HOLLIS number: olvwork734269

[rabbitcruiser]

National Walking Day

National Walking Day is every year on the first Wednesday in April and takes place on April 3 this year. National Walking Day is exactly as it sounds — a day to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. Walking for thirty to sixty minutes per day may sound like it isn’t much, but studies have shown that it can drastically improve your health and even help prevent ailments such as type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

When is National Walking Day 2024?

Reap the benefits of walking and make it a part of your lifestyle on National Walking Day on April 3.

History of National Walking Day

Walking has always been a part of being human. Many archaeologists have found that even when humans were nomadic tribes, we would often walk great distances to stalk our prey (think Wooly Mammoths) and wait for them to sleep before pouncing. Walking is, essentially, what humans are physically we best at. We’re the slowest runners, the worst swimmers, and we can’t even fly without a big jet engine. Walking is the humans bread and butter.

Maybe that’s why during the Victorian era there was a little fad called pedestrianism, where walking became one of the major spectator sports in America and Europe until baseball usurped it. But individuals would wager massive bets over whether walkers could make it marathon distances and under what time. There’s a reason why racewalking is an Olympic sport, after all.

Whether it’s John Muir’s spiritual journeys through the woods; pilgrimages to Mecca; or just a casual stroll through your local park, walking has always held a close, dear place in the hearts of humans. It’s no wonder that there are so many health benefits associated with it and also why National Move More Month and National Walking Day were created promote this fantastic and surprisingly easy pastime.

National Walking Day timeline

1.5 Million Years Ago

Fossilized Footprints Tell a Story

According to fossilized footprints, it's likely that humans were walking similar to how we do today about 1.5 million years ago.

1700s

Bet on Pedestrianism

Pedestrianism enters the modern lexicon as a popular sport for betting who can walk the longest, fastest, and still keep the proper gait. 

1904

On Your Mark, Get Set, Walk!

Racewalking is introduced as an Olympic sport following pedestrianism's popularity where a "fair heel and toe rule" is established.

1965

Manpo-Kei Becomes Okay

Y. Hatano creates a pedometer based on the concept of 10,000 steps a day (what manpo-kei roughly translates to).

National Walking Day Traditions

Go for a walk! Well that one’s pretty easy. Take thirty minutes to an hour to get the blood pumping and the legs moving!

Do a racewalk Why not! They’re a great form of aerobic exercise and you can impress your friends with your new, faster walking technique.

Join a walking club They’re a great way to get out, get the work done, and also meet fun people at the same time.

National Walking Day Statistics

3.1 miles per hour — the average walking speed of a human.

500 miles — the walking duration a pair of tennis shoes lasts for. 

50% — the percentage of Americans who exercise regularly. 

6,000 — the number of steps a day that improves overall health. 

65,000 miles — the distance a person walks in their lifetime. 

10 miles — the distance it would take to walk every week to end 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year. 

20 minutes — the number of extra minutes of walking it would take to burn seven pounds of body fat per year. 

2,000 steps — the number of steps that equal one mile. 

60% — the percentage boost human creativity gets from walking. 

15 minutes — the time it takes to curb sugar cravings by walking. 

National Walking Day FAQs

Is there a National Walk Day?

National Walking Day is on April 6 every year.

Why do we celebrate World Walking Day?

World Walking Day is a fun way to be active and promote walking as exercise. 

What is Warrington Walking Day?

The Warrington Walking Day Fair is an annual event for young people. Processions take place throughout the town and in parks. 

National Walking Day Activities

Walking: Well, this is a no-brainer. Walking is, obviously, the most popular activity on National Walking Day. Just make sure you put one foot in front of the other. 

Racewalking: Get out there and get competitive. Racewalking is great aerobic exercise and can help you zoom around your town at lightning speeds. 

Light jogging: Or, if you prefer, take a light jog instead. Sometimes walking is just too slow for your speedsters and this next step up is nice and relaxed, but efficient. 

5 Facts About Walking That Will Make You Walk Right Away!

It is popular: Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the U.S.

Walking does wonders for our mood: Walking increases blood flow to the brain and improves our mood.

It is a lifespan indicator: Walking speed tells us how long a person will live.

Walking prevents diseases: Walking can help reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer.

Hippocrates said it right: He said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.”

Why We Love National Walking Day

It gets us outside: Getting outside is an important element to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Walking is a great way to get out doors! 

It improves our health: Walking 10,000 steps per day is an effective way to improve your own health. 

It's easy to do: No weights necessary. No running. No special skills or talents. Just get out there and walk!

Source

[bestmessage]

National Walking Day Messages and Quotes

Celebrate this day with funny walking quotes and inspirational messages to motivate everyone to walk. Wish everyone around you with unique waking sayings and inspirational walking quotes.

[jeanniemarieblaha]

Happy National Walking Day! Or Hiking! 😉😁 Did you know? Walking for 30-60 minutes per day might not sound that impactful; however, studies have shown that it can epically improve your health and even help prevent conditions, such as type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The Angels and guides regularly chime in, saying that most everyone who gets physically moving consistently outdoors in all of that light could dump or prevent any drugs — especially those for depression, anxiety and/or sleep challenges. Happy moving your body outside, however you do! ☀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏽‍♂️💥 #NationalWalkingDay #PlayOutside #Outdoors #Nature #Dogs #Rescue #AdoptOverShop #HannahBear https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqrlkp-uKIX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[giftingqueenltd]

Today is National Walking Day and although the weather outside isn't the best, our new furry addition to our family is loving every second of it! Welcome to Mia, a 4 year old Shepherd.

[zmedx2324]

🚶‍♂️ National Walking Day 🚶‍♀️

Walking is 🚶‍♂️Man's Best Medicine! 💊 #Walking for 30 minutes a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Walking every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance.

[citizenscreen]

#NationalWalkingDay

[jasonstiff]

Enjoying the unseasonably warm 70s in Billings on National Walking Day! 😎 today, ☔️&❄️ this weekend!

#Montana #Billings #Q2 #KTVQ #MTN #Wyoming #sun #bluesky #clouds #warmth #rain #snow #cold #walking #fitness #exercise #health #NationalWalkingDay #Wednesday #April #spring #weather #wx #mtwx #wywx

[citylifeorg]

National Walking Day

National Walking Day - A day to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. #CityLifeOrg #CityLife #NYC #USA #NationalWalkingDay

[stepsbackthrutimewalkingtours]

Come walk and experience stunning #Kilmacthomas and the heart of the #WaterfordGreenway.

Tour tickets here

www.stepsbackthrutime.ie

#Thingstodo #bucketlist #mindfulness #visitireland #StepsBackThruTime #GuidedTour #WalkingTours #eventbrite #Waterford #Ireland #irelandsancienteast #MedievalMile #failteireland #tourismireland #discoverireland #leavenotrace #LoveThisPlace #WWETB #Dungarvan #Ardmore #lismore #dunmoreeast #clonmel #nationalwalkingday #naturephotography #startyourownbusiness #SYOB #love

[harvardfineartslib]

Over the past year, it feels like every day has been National Walking Day. By now, we are all walking champions!

Today, let’s celebrate National Walking Day by going for a walk (yet again)!

"Blower" Brown, British Walking Champion Mora, José Maria, 1846 - 1926 Albumen silver print on card. Mount: 15.9 x 10.8 cm (6 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.) American Cabinet photographs Copyright: © President and Fellows of Harvard College 1870-1900 Repository: Harvard Fine Arts Library, Special Collections HOLLIS number: FAL16601

Untitled [two women walking] Feininger, Lyonel, 1871-1956, American [artist] Colored crayons on paper 13.34 x 7.94 cm. American 1909 [6/26/1909] Repository: Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States HOLLIS number: olvwork223620

[gymclock]

Walking is the most natural way to increase energy, reduce stress and maintain joint health and flexibility. https://gymclock.app/

[richardnixonlibrary]

Today is National Walking Day! If you need us, we'll be taking a stroll.

[tikiboofitness]

Happy #NationalWalkingDay, who's going for a stroll in their Tikiboo's? 🚶‍♀️

[nevillepodiatry-blog]

Happy #NationalWalkingDay! 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️ Schedule your appointment here: 👇 www.NevilleFeet.com/make-an-appointment #Walking #NevilleFeltBetter #Foot #Feet #Podiatry #Conroe #Spring #TheWoodlands #Houston #Texas #Funny #WednesdayWisdom #Bunions #Corns #Blisters #Wounds #Surgery #IngrownToenails #Warts #Fungus #Pain #Shoes #Running #Medical #Pedicures (at Neville Foot and Ankle Centers Podiatry) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvzAaquhocC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jmgoow6uzebc

[acharmedlifephoto]

Walks on the beach make everything better. #nationalwalkingday #funday #familytime #familytimeisprecious #beachpics #myrtlebeachfamilyvacation #familybeachsession #familyportraitsession #thegrandstrand #myrtlebeach #myrtlebeachlife #myrtlebeachphotographer #myrtlebeachportraitphotographer #myrtlebeachfamilyphotographer #acharmedlifephotography www.acharmedlifephotography.com 888-696-7599 https://www.instagram.com/p/CcCL-uDr9Mk/?utm_medium=tumblr