Long before baseball became America’s pastime our country was obsessed with another sport, entirely.
Pedestrianism, a pre-cursor to modern-day ultra running, is a sport that played out exactly like it sounds: By putting one foot in front of the other. Walking was the most common form of transportation in the 18th- and 19th-centuries, and simply put, the standouts among those walkers drew the attention of peers and gamblers, alike.
The sport has its origins in England, but exploded in popularity in America shortly after Edward Payson Weston lost a bet on the 1860 election, and had to pay up by walking 478 miles from Boston to Washington, D.C., to see the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Weston’s journey, which lasted 10 days and 10 hours, soon garnered press coverage and the imagination of a national audience.
After stomping through the snow, rain and mud, with several falls in between, he arrived in the nation’s capital only to realize he narrowly missed the inauguration. His walk, however, wasn’t for naught: Weston got to shake Lincoln’s hand and dance the night away at the inaugural ball.
Weston’s larger-than-life quest jump-started a career as a professional long distance walker. In 1867, he cashed in on a $10,000 prize after walking 1,200 miles from Portland, Maine, to Chicago in 26 days. Weston received death threats from gamblers and was even attacked, but he pressed forward while preaching the health benefits of walking.
After several failed attempts, Weston finally became the first person in the world to cover 500 miles over a six-day period in 1874. The feat was then duplicated by Chicago’s Daniel O’Leary, and it wasn’t long before fans were calling for the matchup of the century.
The duel, which came in the form of a $5,000-to-win, six-day race, finally went down in 1875 on O’Leary’s home turf at the newly-built Interstate Exposition Building in Chicago. Only about 100 spectators showed up for the first day, but the crowd had swelled to over 8,000 by the sixth. O’Leary ultimately prevailed, covering a new six-day record of 503 miles, while Weston finished with 451.
America was sold on the six-day race and the 1870s were loaded with fascinating events. While pedestrianism was as much of a spectacle as it was a sport, it was still progressive beyond its years. Women were competing in 1876, and by 1879, America had perhaps its first black sports star in Frank Hart, a man who became featured on trading cards after totaling 565 miles in six days to break the world record.
But as fast as pedestrianism rose, it faded into obscurity even faster near the turn of the century. Even as baseball took center stage, Weston never stopped walking. His last long trek came in 1913 at the age of 74, when he took a 54-day, 1,546-mile walk from New York to Minneapolis. Until the very end, Weston promoted walking and was wary of automobiles, warning that they’d make people lazy and sedentary. Ironically, Weston’s time as a walker came to an end when he was struck by a New York City taxicab in 1927. He died two years later.
While pedestrianism has been gone for quite some time, its legacy continues today in the ultra-running world, where athletes are still trying to learn just how far they can push their physical and mental limitations. It’s much more of a niche sport now, but the participants are just as passionate as they ever were.
For all of this, today’s ultra community has Weston — and Abraham Lincoln — to thank.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Just when you think Laurie Dymond is going to start winding down her endurance running career, she goes out and does something to make you a believer all over again.
Chambersburg’s Dymond had another resurgence last weekend at the NEO 24 Hour in Brunswick, Ohio. The 59-year-old grinded through 112.5 miles to finish as the top female. Dymond finished nearly 12 miles ahead of the field, which featured a handful of runners who were half her age.
“I am happy with my performance,” Dymond said on Facebook. “Not merely due to the distance covered, but also because I persevered through the extreme heat and remained on the course for the full 24 hours, something I have not accomplished in some time.”
In Shepherdstown, W.Va., Freedom’s Run Marathon Weekend drew the attention of several Local.News1 runners, including a number of standouts. The 10K race saw Ryan Rasco conquer the field of 212 runners in 33:40, with fellow Hagerstown runner Lucas Young (4th in 35:17) also landing in the Top 10. Anthony Chaney, of Hagerstown, clocked a 1:34:53 in the half marathon to finish seventh overall. Other top times in the 13.1-mile race were recorded by Hagerstown’s Hoyt Chaney (1:44:39), Joshua Webber (1:56:48), and Michael McCook (2:01:26), and Greencastle’s Jalene Hummer (1:56:19).
As for the Freedom’s Run Marathon, it was Hagerstown’s Jeff Byard who led all local finishers with a time of 4:22:04. Byard was chased to the finish line by Chambersburg’s Levi Miller (4:25:16), Hagerstown’s Anita Thomas (4:57:49), and Greencastle’s Eric Bergquist (5:03:25). Two area runners landed Top 10 finishes in the Freedom’s Run 5K: Hagerstown’s Johnathan Fox (4th in 18:46) and Benjamin Jones (5th in 18:51).
The rugged trails at the Hauser Hill Spiked Apple 5K proved to be a challenge, but nothing that Chambersburg’s Daniel Hoover and Sean Collier couldn’t handle. Competing in a field of 341 runners, Hoover took third in 23:58 and Collier finished ninth in 25:42. Other top times were recorded by Hagerstown’s Stephen Brooks (29:08) and Hannah Allen (2nd female in 29:37), Waynesboro’s Kofi Owusu (31:39), Greencastle’s Jalene Hummer (31:41), and Chambersburg’s Colleen O’Brien (31:45).
In Shippensburg, Cumberland Valley TrailFest was jam-packed with local talent. The area’s top finisher in the half marathon was Chambersburg’s Collin Bricker, who took fourth in 1:29:57. Bricker was followed by Chambersburg’s Cliff Ocker (1:57:23) and David Helman (2:04:38), while the TrailFest 5K was highlighted by the efforts of Fort Loudon’s Dennis Reamer III, who took sixth in 21:36.
Franklin County runners swept the winners’ spots at the Dash for Down Syndrome 5K in Fayetteville. Chambersburg’s Derek Book topped the field of 66 runners in 20:51, while Greencastle’s Mary Hykes finished as top female in 25:22. The runners were joined in the Top 10 by Chambersburg’s Samuel Goshorn (2nd in 25:15), Jack Myers (4th in 26:03), Matt Baker (5th in 26:10), Montana Duty (6th in 27:26), Sam Myers (7th in 27:30), and Jenna Perry (8th in 27:43), and Waynesboro’s Jeffrey Hein (9th in 28:12).
Wineglass Marathon Weekend in Corning, N.Y., featured a handful strong performances. Hagerstown’s Zachary Schrieber (3:04:05) and Kevin Burkey (3:19:15) cruised to fast times in the marathon, while the half marathon featured strong runs from Chambersburg’s Daniel Hoover (1:45:57) and Colleen O’Brien (2:10:29), and Hagerstown’s Heather Luciani (1:59:34).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Chambersburg’s Bryton Hazelton (19:41 at Applefest 5K), Cliff Ocker (23:48 at Live, Laugh, Love 5K), Alyssa Gascho (36:39 at Haunted 5K), Brent Rockwell (1:05:03 at Haunted 10K), Darren Grove (1:40:29 at Rev3 Mighty Matapeake Triathlon), Jeffrey Stone (2:32:35 at Waterman’s Olympic Triathlon), Christine Metcalfe (17 miles at Red Barn 6 Hour), and Beckett Kuipers (24 miles at Red Barn 24 Hour), Greencastle’s Mark Taylor (26:03 at Goose Day 5K), Alex Ruzbacki (29:20 at Adam Zook 5K), and Matthew Smith (1:35:26 at Hua Sports Half Marathon), Fairfield’s Ronald Black (25:35 at Country Road Run 5K), Courtney Burns (32:18 at Troegs Hop Dash 5K), Reganne Engstler (1:43:53 at Baltimore Women’s Sprint Triathlon), and Kyle Schoen (7:15:51 at Waterman’s Half Triathlon), and Hagerstown’s Steven Santa Maria (26:55 at Key City Foundation Oktoberfest 5K), Lyla King (31:11 at Snack Town RunFest 5K), Adam McCoy (1:44:47 at Snack Town RunFest Half Marathon), Will Marquiss (1:47:05 at Bear Trail Half Marathon), and Michael Hohl (6:20:05 at Blues Cruise 50K).
And finally, a shoutout to Jalen Weaver, who landed a podium finish at the Hua Sports Marathon in Point of Rocks, Maryland. The Hagerstown runner finished second overall in 3:20:06.
And now, a look ahead:
Rick O’Donnell Memorial 5M/4H/8H: Sunday, 8:30 a.m., in Mount Airy, Md. This event, in its 13th running, honors the memories of several beloved Frederick Steeplechasers, including those of Rick O’Donnell. Check out the race on rickstrailrun.com.
End of the Road Half Marathon: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19, in Waterfall. This race has become so popular in recent years that it has become a two-day event. Look up the race on runsignup.com.
Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon: Sunday, Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m., in Hancock, Md. This race now bears the name of Buzz Sawyer, one of Washington County’s greatest distance runners and the creator of the JFK 50 Mile. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Also: Harrisburg Halloween Run 5K (Friday, in Harrisburg); Brush Rush 5K (Saturday, in Newport); Dash and Dine 5K (Saturday, in Marietta); Haunted 5K/10K (Saturday, in York); Pennsylvania Brewery Running Series 5K (Saturday, in Verona); Pocono Mountains Marathon Race Festival (Saturday, in Greentown); Punxsutawney Mahoning Shadow Shuffle 5K/10K/13.1M (Saturday, in Punxsutawney); Warren County YMCA SuperKwik Challenge Half Marathon (Saturday, in Warren); West Penn Trail Triathlon (Saturday, in Saltsburg); Tie Dye Run 1M/5K/10K (Saturday, in Hagerstown, Md.); Chestertown Challenge Half Marathon (Sunday, in Chestertown, Md.); Empty Stroller 5K (Sunday, in Reading); Green Monster Trail Challenge 15K/25K/50K (Sunday, in Wellsboro); Steamtown Marathon (Sunday, in Scranton); Rocky Gap 25K/50K (Sunday, in Flintstone, Md.); Navy Yard 5K (Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Philadelphia); Thirsty Thursday 5K (Thursday, Oct. 16, in Reading); Bethlehem Running Festival 5K/10K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Bethlehem); Buffalo Creek Half Marathon (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Cabot); Freedom 5K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Gap); Haunted 5K/10K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Akron); Kegs and Eggs Halloween 5K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Manheim); Little Pine 5 Miler Trail Run (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Waterville); Muleskinner 26.2M/50K/50M (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Upper Black Eddy); Personal Endurance Classic 12H (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Erie); Polar Bear 5K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Dillsburg); Shades of Death 10 Miler (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Avella); Sinnemahone Trail Run 12K/25K/50K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Emporium); Vineyard at Hershey Haunted Wine Run 5K (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Middletown); Boulder Dash 5K/5M (Saturday, Oct. 18, in Williamsport, Md.); Bethlehem Running Festival 13.1M (Sunday, Oct. 19, in Bethlehem); Harrisburg Heroes Run 5K (Sunday, Oct. 19, in Harrisburg); Market Street Run for Blue 5 Miler (Sunday, Oct. 19, in Philadelphia); Reading Hospital Road Run 5K/13.1M (Sunday, Oct. 19, in Reading); Wilds Mountain Fest 25K/50K (Sunday, Oct. 19, in Waterville).
