How Long Does It Take to Walk a Marathon? (Detailed Answer)

Walking is one of the healthiest and most affordable forms of exercise that provides numerous health benefits.

It’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine, making it an excellent exercise choice for people of all ages and fitness levels.

In this article, you will find out how long it takes to walk a marathon and you will get answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Generally speaking, it takes the average person roughly between 7 and 9 hours to walk a marathon, which means that the average walking speed is between 3.75 and 2.91 miles per hour. Numerous factors, such as age, gender, fitness level, and terrain, will affect the final time.

The average walking pace is between 16:01 and 20:36 minutes per mile.

The information in this article is based on research conducted by Schimpl et al.

Depending on the walking pace, the table shows how long it takes to walk a marathon.

You can use my calculator to calculate the time it takes to walk a marathon at a certain pace. You can also calculate what pace you will walk if you walk a marathon at a certain time.

Average time to walk a marathon for women by age

The average time to walk a marathon for women between the ages of 30 to 39 is 8 hours 44 minutes 29 seconds, which means the average walking speed is 3.00 miles per hour, and the average walking pace is 20:00 minutes per mile.

The table shows the average walking time of a marathon for women with the calculated average walking speed and pace by age group.

Average time to walk a marathon for men by age

The average walking time for a marathon for men between the ages of 30 to 39 is 8 hours 11 minutes 34 seconds, which means the average walking speed is 3.20 miles per hour, and the average walking pace is 18:45 minutes per mile.

The table shows the average walking time for a marathon for men with the calculated average walking speed and pace by age group.

Why is walking good?

Walking is an excellent form of exercise and an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

There are many reasons why walking is good for your health, and these are some of them:

1. Improves cardiovascular health

Regular walking helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and improves circulation.

2. Helps in losing weight

Walking helps burn calories and maintain body weight.

Even low-intensity walking speeds up metabolism and burns calories, making it an effective weight-loss strategy when combined with a healthy diet.

Research has shown that 15 minutes of walking can reduce the desire for sweets and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations.

3. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases

Research has shown that regular walking reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Regular walking can help improve blood sugar control, reduce inflammation, and strengthen bones.

4. Strengthens immunity

Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season.

A study of more than 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less.

And if they did get sick, it was shorter and their symptoms were milder.

5. Improves brain function

Walking has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory. It can also reduce the risk of age-related dementia.

6. Encourages creative thinking

Walking can help you clear your mind and think creatively.

Research has shown that walking opens up the free flow of ideas and is an easy way to increase creativity and physical activity at the same time.

7. Increases energy

Walking when you’re tired can be a more effective energy booster than drinking a cup of coffee.

Walking increases the flow of oxygen through the body. It can also increase the levels of hormones that help raise energy levels.

8. Strengthens bones and muscles

Regular walking strengthens your bones and muscles, reducing your risk of osteoporosis and other conditions that affect your mobility.

9. Improves mood and mental health

Walking has been shown to improve mood, and overall mental health as well as reduce stress and anxiety.

How many steps are needed to walk a marathon?

It takes approximately 55000 steps to walk a marathon. To calculate an accurate figure, you need to consider a number of different factors, such as gender, height, weight, stride length, and pace of walking or running.

For example, a shorter person will have to take many more steps to cover the same distance, unlike a taller person.

You can use a calculator to determine exactly how many steps, you have taken in a marathon of walking or running.

The study calculated the average number of steps that need to be taken per mile while walking or running.

The table shows an overview of the steps required to cross a marathon at a given speed.

Read more: How Many Steps Are in a Marathon? (Detailed Answer)

How many calories do you burn walking a marathon?

Walking a marathon will burn around 2500 calories on average. The exact number of calories burned walking a marathon depends on the runner’s weight and shape, walking pace, terrain, and weather conditions.

The heavier you are, the more calories you will burn because you have to carry more weight and work harder to cover the same distance at the same pace.

Example

According to the walking calorie calculator, a person weighing 187 lbs (85 kg) will burn approximately 2722 calories walking a marathon at a speed of 3 miles per hour (a pace of 12:26 minutes per kilometer), while a person weighing 132 lbs (60 kg) will burn approximately 1922 calories.

Can you lose belly fat by walking a marathon?

You can lose belly fat by walking a marathon, but it’s not the only thing you should do. Regular exercise along with a nutritious diet is necessary for weight loss.

Walking is a great low-impact aerobic exercise that can help you lose weight, manage stress, and strengthen your heart.

You can start to lose weight and possibly get rid of belly fat by creating a calorie deficit, which is when you burn more calories than you take in.

Additionally, walking uphill or at a different pace can improve the effects of walking.

How much training do you need to walk a marathon?

The marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195 km) long and requires a certain level of fitness and a structured training plan to complete it without injury.

Regardless of the fact that walking a marathon is not as demanding as running.

The amount of training you need depends on your current fitness level, previous experience, and your overall health.

On average, a marathon training plan lasts 12 to 20 weeks, depending on your current fitness level and goals.

Gradually increase the walking distance to allow the body to adapt to the stress and avoid injuries and the appearance of overtraining.

Tip

If you have never been involved in any physical activity before, before you start training, visit your doctor. Especially if you are over 40 and have not been active before or if you are overweight.

During preparation, it is important to include different types of training, such as longer walks, shorter, faster walks, and hill walking.

Along with walking training, strength training is also important for strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.

With all that, don’t neglect rest and recovery.

Without adequate recovery, you risk injury, and it is very likely that results will stagnate. This will further demotivate you and you will most likely give up.

If you are not sure how to train, join a walking club or consult a trainer. That way, you’re less likely to overdo it and give up quickly or get hurt.

Is daily walking enough for exercise?

Walking every day is a great way to incorporate some physical activity into your routine.

However, whether this will be enough exercise for you depends on your individual goals and fitness level.

It is important to consider the intensity, duration, and frequency of your walks to determine if this is enough activity for you.

If you are just starting to exercise or lead a sedentary lifestyle, daily walks are a great way to increase your fitness level and gradually increase your activity level.

Over time, you can increase the intensity and duration of your walks to provide new demands on your body.

On the other hand, if your goal is to build strength, increase endurance, or train for a specific sport, daily walks are not enough.

To achieve your goals, you should add other types of training to your routine, such as strength training, running, or other forms of high-intensity exercise.

Info

Although any amount of physical activity is better than none, the American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at a time, which translates to about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Walking is a moderate-intensity exercise that can help reach these recommendations.

In addition to the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise combined, the American Heart Association also recommends muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days per week. These activities may include bodyweight exercises, weightlifting, or the use of resistance bands.

How to make walking more interesting?

Walking is a great activity to clear your mind, but it can get boring over time, especially if you walk the same route every time.

Here are some ways to make walking more interesting:

1. Change your walking route

Walk a different route or explore a new area. This will allow you to change the environment and make walking more interesting.

2. Listen to music or a podcast

 Make a playlist of your favorite music or find a podcast that interests you.

3. Walk with a friend

Sometimes we need additional motivation to be active.

In these cases, make arrangements with your walking buddy. Not only will your time pass faster, but you will also do a great workout.

4. Set yourself goals

Challenge yourself to walk a certain distance or beat your previous time.

This will give you a sense of accomplishment and further motivate you to continue.

5. Observe the surroundings

You may notice something new or interesting that you have never seen before.

6 Use a pedometer or activity tracker

Track your steps and distance with a pedometer or activity tracker.

That way, you’ll be able to track your progress, which will help you stay motivated.

7. Add strength exercises

While walking, add strength exercises, for example, do a few squats, lunges, or push-ups.

This can help improve your fitness level and make the walk more challenging.

8. Track your progress

Tracking your progress can help keep you motivated and you’ll be able to adjust your routine as needed.

You can use an activity app or a simple training log to track your distance, pace, and how you feel while walking.

9. Listen to your body

Most importantly, remember to listen to your body and adjust your routine as needed.

Walking should be a fun and enjoyable activity that you look forward to every day.