The Atlas Obscura Podcast
The 6-Day Race
Mar 31, 2025
In the late 1800s, competitive walking became America's unique sport, drawing passionate crowds to six-day races. A bet during the 1860 election sparked the craze, leading to endurance challenges that kept participants on their feet for days. The rise of pedestrianism captivated the public, but it found itself outshined by baseball and cycling innovations. Today, a few of those long-distance events still exist, showcasing the endurance and spectacle that once ruled the nation's entertainment landscape.
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Quick takeaways
- The advent of competitive walking in America stemmed from a publicity stunt during the 1860 presidential election, sparking public fascination.
- Six-day races combined endurance challenges with festive entertainment, including music and vendors, making them popular in a time of limited leisure options.
Deep dives
The Rise of Competitive Walking
Competitive walking originated from a bet made during the 1860 presidential election involving Edward Payson Weston, who was tasked with walking from Boston to Washington, D.C. Although Weston did not win the bet due to arriving late, he captivated audiences along his route by sending postcards to newspapers, which turned his walk into a public spectacle. This burgeoning interest led to the establishment of long-distance walking exhibitions, often held in roller skating rinks, where spectators paid to watch Weston and others walk for extended periods. The sport thrived in a time when entertainment options were scarce, making walking in circles an appealing choice for the public.
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