{"id":45439,"date":"2015-11-13T07:15:14","date_gmt":"2015-11-13T12:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=45439"},"modified":"2021-11-01T16:20:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-01T20:20:58","slug":"best-walking-races-power-walk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/best-walking-races-power-walk\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Races for People Who\u2019d Rather Walk Than Run"},"content":{"rendered":"

Walking might just be the most underrated form of activity. Whether you\u2019re powering through three miles or 13, walking burns around 100 calories per mile (depending on your weight, time, and distance) \u2014\u00a0and carries health benefits galore<\/a>. The U.S. surgeon general even wants you to start walking more<\/a>! But from fun 5Ks to half-marathons<\/a> to the grueling world of marathons<\/a> and ultramarathons<\/a>, sometimes it seems like running <\/em>gets all the glory.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> The Easiest 5K and 10K Training Plan Ever (Walking, Allowed)<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why whether you\u2019re a competitive walker or you\u2019re just out there to get active with friends, it\u2019s time to set your sights on these 15 walker-friendly events across the country. So lace up your sneakers and prepare to dominate these distances where walkers are not only welcome, but they might just be the stars of the show. Because walkers deserve race medals, too!<\/p>\n

15 Races Where Walkers Can Dominate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Honolulu
Photo: Honolulu Marathon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1.\u00a0Honolulu Marathon Race Day 10K Walk
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Honolulu, HI
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, December 13, 2015
\nWho wouldn\u2019t want to spend a winter weekend in Hawaii? With no cap on participants and no cut-off time, the Honolulu Marathon<\/a> is an established favorite among long-distance walkers. But the non-timed 10K walk held the same morning is a little more our speed (let\u2019s face it, walking a marathon sounds kind of torturous). Take a stroll through paradise on the flat course through downtown Honolulu to Waikiki Beach, and then get right back<\/a> to your beach chair. Registration fee: $60-$70<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Disney
Photo: Preston Mack \/ WDW Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2.\u00a0D<\/a><\/strong>isney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
\n<\/strong><\/a>Location<\/strong>: Orlando, FL
\nDate<\/strong>: Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21, 2016
\nAll runDisney events<\/a> tend to be walker-friendly, but this race weekend really delivers the royal treatment. Choose your own magical distance, whether the Disney Princess Half Marathon, Enchanted 10K or Disney Princess 5K. And keep an eye out for Cinderella, Snow White and more of your favorite Disney characters as they cheer you to a happily ever after finish. Registration fee: $65-$205; sold out.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"RNR-New-Orleans\"
Photo: Ryan Bethke \/ Competitor Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3.\u00a0Humana Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll New Orleans Half Marathon and 10K
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: New Orleans, LA
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, February 28, 2016
\nWith a four-hour course limit in this race series, there\u2019s plenty of time for walkers to strut their way through the streets in true NOLA style (a city famous for its walking clubs<\/a>). The jazzy course parades its way into the festive French Quarter and past the historic homes of the Garden District. The city pulls out all the stops to make you feel like it\u2019s Mardi Gras from start to finish, thanks to upbeat music and all-year-round party vibes. Registration fee: $40-$105<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> 15 Fun, Fast and Beginner-Friendly Marathons<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anthem
Photo: Cindy Graf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4.\u00a0Anthem Half Marathon and TowneBank Shamrock 8K
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Virginia Beach, VA
\nDate<\/strong>: Saturday, March 19 to Sunday, March 20, 2016
\nThis beachfront race wishes its many walkers the luck of the Irish. In conjunction with St. Patrick\u2019s Day, some 20,000 half-marathon (four-hour limit) and 8K (two-hour limit) participants will turn the flat and fast course green with participants\u2019 festive gear. But the fun and good cheer doesn\u2019t stop at the end of the race. We have a feeling it\u2019s the finish line festival (and the Yuengling beer!) that keeps people coming back year after year. Registration: $40-$125<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Cooper-River-Bridge-Run\"
Photo: Cooper River Bridge Run<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5.\u00a0Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Mount Pleasant, SC
\nDate<\/strong>: Saturday, April 2, 2016
\nOne of the largest 10Ks in the world, this annual race has tweaked its course numerous times over its 40-year history just to accommodate its large field of walkers. That\u2019s because they want you<\/em> to be among the 40,000 participants who will take on Charleston\u2019s beautiful two-mile bridge (and then some). There\u2019s a generous three-hour course limit too, and no shortage of supportive fans, camaraderie and live bands along the way. Registration fee: $40-$55<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Statesman<\/a>
Photo: Austin American-Statesman Staff Photographer Ralph Barrera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6.\u00a0Statesman Cap10K
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Austin, TX
\n<\/span>Date<\/strong>: Sunday, April 10, 2016
\nCelebrate the 39th year of this Austin springtime favorite (and another one of the biggest 10K road races around). You and more than 18,000 others can walk from Congress Avenue Bridge, past the Texas State Capitol, and up and down a few hilly neighborhoods and parks, within the 20-minute mile pace limit. But we all know the real race is on social media, where the popular costume contest unfolds \u2014 so plan your outfit accordingly! Registration fee: $30-$50<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> The 5 Best Cardio Workouts That Don\u2019t Involve Running<\/a><\/p>\n

\"One
Photo: The 500 Festival<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7.\u00a0One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Indianapolis, IN
\nDate<\/strong>: Saturday, May 7, 2016
\nFeel the need for speed? So do the 35,000 participants that make up one of the largest half-marathons in the world, and nearly 20 percent of them are walkers! You\u2019ll need to really rev up the engine for the course highlight \u2014 a 2.5-mile lap around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Don\u2019t worry, the event\u2019s \u201cBack of the Pack\u201d crew helps everyone maintain the 18-minute-mile time limit to the finish and provides encouragement along the way. Registration fee: $75-$95<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Bay
Photo: Zappos.com Bay to Breakers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8.\u00a0Zappos.com Bay to Breakers 12K
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: San Francisco, CA
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, May 15, 2016
\nThere are few things San Franciscans are more serious about than this quintessential event, also the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world. Some of the more than 60,000 participants are serious about the running, but others (many, many others) are serious about the wild, anything goes<\/em> fun and crazy costumes (and, um, lack of costumes) that\u2019s been a yearly tradition since 1912. Walking might just be a better way to truly <\/em>enjoy the rowdy sights and sounds. Registration fee: $50-$140<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> The 7 Best Competitions for People Who Hate Running<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PeachTree
Photo: Paul Kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9.\u00a0AJC Peachtree Road Race 10K
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Atlanta, GA
\nDate<\/strong>: Monday, July 4, 2016
\nBefore the picnics and the fireworks in Atlanta, it\u2019s a Fourth of July tradition to see 60,000 runners and walkers come together for the world\u2019s largest 10K road race. In fact, more than 150,000 local spectators go out to cheer on participants of all ages and athletic abilities, some in their most patriotic costumes. With such a high-energy course, it\u2019s no wonder so many walkers choose to start their holiday weekend with a bang. Registration: $35-$38<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Missoula
Photo: Missoula Marathon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10.\u00a0Missoula Half Marathon
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Missoula, MT
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, July 10, 2016
\nThis scenic flat and fast course through Big Sky Country welcomes more than 4,000 participants, especially those who follow Jeff Galloway\u2019s run-walk-run method<\/a>. Galloway is a longtime supporter of the point-to-point race, which has a 7.5-hour time limit, making it one of the most walker-inclusive around. There\u2019s also a 5K and beer run to round out the weekend of small town charm. Registration fee: $75-$115<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Portland
Photo: Hood to Coast\/ Portland to Coast Relays<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11.\u00a0Portland to Coast Walk Relay
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Portland, OR
\nDate<\/strong>: Friday, August 26 to Saturday, August 27, 2016
\nPlay the lottery for a chance to join 400 lucky teams at the largest walking relay race in the world (held in tandem with the popular Hood to Coast Relay<\/a>). Each team of eight to 12 walkers race the 132-mile course from downtown Portland to the beaches of Seaside, Oregon, through all hours of the day and night \u2014 so don\u2019t forget your reflective gear<\/a>! Since the race began in 1991, it has raised more than $4 million for cancer research. Registration fee: $1,140 per team; sold out for 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> The 17 Best Relay Races in the U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"ThedaCare
Photo: Fox Cities Marathon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12.\u00a0ThedaCare Half Marathon
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Neenah, WI
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, September 18, 2016
\nThis is the race competitive walkers have been waiting for! You\u2019ll get a separate start time that\u2019s five minutes after the joggers take off, meaning there\u2019s no need to dodge and weave (or fear getting plowed down from behind). And just to make it even more exciting and scenic, this year\u2019s race features a new course with three miles of paved trail for its 3,500 participants to enjoy. Registration fee: $65-$110<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Boston
Photo: John Deputy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13.\u00a0Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location<\/strong>: Boston, MA
\nDate<\/strong>: Sunday, September 25, 2016
\nYou might have zero desire to qualify for the Boston Marathon<\/a>, but over 8,500 walkers can lace up for the same iconic course (and choice of 3, 5, 13.1, or 26.2 miles) at one of the largest charitable walking events in the world. Since it started in 1989, the walk has fundraised more than $100 million to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute<\/a>. And just like on Marathon Monday, the whole city of Boston comes out to support you. Registration fee: $25-$40; each participant must also fundraise at least $300 in donations (walkers under 12 years old must contribute at least $100)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Avon
Photo: The Avon Foundation for Women<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14.\u00a0Avon 39: The Walk to End Breast Cancer
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location: <\/strong>Houston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, New York
\nDate: <\/strong>See website for dates
\nWant another opportunity to walk for a cause? Put on your pink and join this two-day, 39.3-mile event in seven major U.S. cities this spring and fall. Whether you walk as a team or an individual, you\u2019ll be supporting one of the largest and most well-respected breast cancer walks in the country. The distance is no joke, but knowing that these walk have raised more than $550 million since they began in 2003 will help you power through. Registration fee: $50 (plus $1,800 fundraising minimum)<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong> 9 Inspiring Breast Cancer Awareness Races<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Walk
Photo: National MS Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15.\u00a0Walk MS
\n<\/a><\/strong>Location: <\/strong>550 locations nationwide
\nDate: <\/strong>See website for each location\u2019s dates.
\nEvery year, 330,000 people all over the country throw on some sneakers and walk with one goal in mind: to end multiple sclerosis for good. Each local event, sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, hosts a 5K and 1 mile, plus options to walk as a team or individual. Since 1988, these walkers have raised more than $920 million to provide research and support for the 2.3 million people affected by MS. No registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you ready to walk the walk? Tell us about your favorite walker-friendly race or event in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prefer power walking to jogging? We don\u2019t blame you. These 15 awesome races across the United States were practically made for walkers like you. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,24,6],"tags":[288,110,108,341,362],"class_list":["post-45439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cardio","category-exercise","category-fitness","tag-cardio","tag-race","tag-running","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2walking"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45439\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}