A marathon is 42.195 km / 26.2 miles. Most people imagine that as a number of running steps, but the same distance can be walked — much slower, but at most ~2× the step count. The calculator above estimates total steps based on your height (which sets stride). Use it to scope what "I'll walk a marathon over a weekend" actually entails.
Step counts
Walking (stride 0.73 m): ~57,800 steps. Running (stride 1.0–1.2 m): ~35,000–42,000 steps. The walking number is what most pedestrian charity walks plan around. At a brisk 6 km/h pace, walking a marathon takes about 7 hours — long, but doable in a single day with breaks.
Walking vs running a marathon
Walking is roughly 50–70% of the calorie burn of running for the same distance, NOT 100%. Why: running carries more vertical bounce, less mechanical efficiency. So a 70 kg adult walking a marathon burns ~3,000 kcal; running burns ~3,800 kcal. The walking option is much easier on joints and cardiovascular system, much harder on time.
How to train for a walking marathon
12 weeks is enough for most healthy adults. Build long walks: weeks 1–4 cap at 8 km, weeks 5–8 cap at 16 km, weeks 9–11 do one 24+ km walk. Taper week 12. Train at the pace you intend to walk on the day, not a faster "training" pace. Footwear matters more than people think — typical running shoes are too soft; look for "walking-specific" or carbon-plated walkers.
FAQ
- How many days does walking 42 km take?
- In a single day at brisk pace, ~7 hours. Most charity walks split it across two days.
- Does walking burn the same calories as running for marathon distance?
- No — about 60–70% as many. The full distance still burns ~3,000 kcal for an average adult.