walkathon

American  

[waw-kuh-thon] / ˈwɔ kəˌθɒn /

noun

1. a long-distance 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.

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Etymology

Origin of walkathon

First recorded in 1930–35; walk + -athon

Explanation

A walkathon is a fundraiser in which donors pledge money based on the distance a participant covers on foot. Many walkathons raise money to treat or research cures for specific diseases, like multiple sclerosis or breast cancer. Walkathons tend to be large, well-organized events that target issues that affect a lot of people. If you participate in a walkathon to benefit people who lost their homes in a huge wildfire, you'll ask everyone you know to pledge a specific amount of money per mile. After the walkathon, you can add up the miles you walked and collect the donations. Walkathon, a portmanteau of walk and marathon, was coined in the 1930s.

Example Sentences

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 • Jul. 22, 2019

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2018

Back in 1970, Dombrovski had entered his first walkathon.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2017

Not everyone in Congress has embraced the walkathon.

From Washington Post

She says they run the canned-food drive, tutor kids in the city, host a walkathon, a danceathon, and a rockingchairathon to raise money for I don’t know what.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson