walkathon

[ waw-kuh-thon ]

noun

1. a long-distance walking walking race for testing endurance.
2. such a contest held to raise funds for a charity or special cause, with supporters or sponsors pledging to donate a sum for a specific contestant or team for each mile walked or for the total miles covered.

Word History and Origins

Origin of walkathon¹

First recorded in 1930–35; walk + -athon

Example Sentences

In her practice, Schwartz often sees more injuries after a walkathon than after the New York City Marathon.

From Washington Post

Almost every weekend, she participates in some sort of walkathon or other event to raise money for charity and wants us to join her or donate.

From Slate

In support of October’s breast cancer awareness drive, fitness app Gixo is organizing a 12-hour walkathon Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think people would have donated the way they did if I’d done a walkathon.”

From Wall Street Journal

Jones is also taking inspiration from the German town of Wunsiedel, where residents have responded to an annual neo-Nazi march by sponsoring an “involuntary walkathon” that raises funds for anti-extremist causes.

From The Guardian