#Microblog Monday 267: Competitive Walking
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Has there ever been a more fascinating line written? “In 1815, thousands of people came to watch George Wilson, the “Blackheath Pedestrian,” walk 1,000 miles.”
If I had been alive in 1815, I would have been in that crowd, watching the man walk in a circle:
[It was] a 1,000-mile walk, one of several feats of long-distance walking called ‘pedestrianism; that enthralled Britain in the early 19th century. He walked on a pre-measured circuit around Blackheath common, an area of public grasslands outside of Greenwich.
Like literally walked in a circle for everyone’s entertainment. People bet on the walker, consumed beer while they watched, enjoyed a day out watching a very slow, monotonous activity. That article, by the way, leads to more articles about competitive walking.
I found this completely fascinating. There’s a story somewhere in here.
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4 comments
It’s all becoming clear now. Maybe I finally understand the British and their love of five-day cricket matches.
That is so fascinating! I read a book on the history of the marathon a few years ago and this reminds me a bit of that (mostly, I remember that strychnine was used as a performance-enhancing drug at one point – yikes). This, however, is my kind of competitive sport. I have zero speed and no coordination, but I am stubborn and have a fair amount of endurance ;).
Brothels were brought in for the crowds?
Humans are an interesting bunch, for sure.
I would totally participate. It’s the New Yorker in me– Any excuse to walk ridiculous distances!.