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Running versus Walking Activities for Badges

Former Member over 5 years ago

This has been bugging me for quite a while...why can't I be awarded badges for walking 5K/10K/half/full-marathon/etc.? To me, it should not matter whether I walk or run the distance since I'm in either case using bipedal motion. There's no way I can run/jog a half-marathon, but I've walked several, but I can't get badge credit unless I lie and say I ran it.

0 trux over 5 years ago

You already get badges for 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k, 40k and 50k steps. That's approximately what you are asking for - 15k steps are a bit more than 10km, 25k steps is around a half marathon, and 50k is around a marathon, assuming your stride length is close to the common 0.8-0.9m

And as suggested in the other thread, you can classify your walks as runs, to get the running badges, if you do not mind feeling like a cheater. However, I undesrtood from the other thread, that you would not do it.

PS: please avoid crossposting to multiple forums. Posting the same question once is sufficient

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to trux

Re the cross-posting...I thought I was in the Connect web forum (which was where I wanted to be), but somehow (after I sent the post), found I was in the Android group. Again, my fault.

I understand your point of view (steps versus distance), and I have to live with Garmin's philosophy although I disagree with it. Every walking/running/jogging event I'll been involved with presents whatever finisher award is established (ribbon, medallion, whatever) whether the distance was world-class run or casually walked (as long as max time isn't exceeded...). Anyway, in the realm of cosmic significance, this is a non-issue, but it is a matter of curiosity for me. Thanks for your reply. Regards.

0 2757678 over 3 years ago in reply to trux

So Garmin classifies the marathon badge as only a running activity even though you can register to walk marathons at almost every event around the country. Sounds to me like Garmin is the one cheating people out of the badge. Distance is distance which is what that badge boldly reflects.

0 trux over 3 years ago in reply to 2757678

2757678 said:
Distance is distance which is what that badge boldly reflects.

The badge boldly states "Run 26.2 miles (42.2 km) in a single activity.". Where do you exactly see it cheats you by suggesting you could use the Walk activity?

0 2757678 over 3 years ago in reply to trux

Walk activities do not track distance for any type of record keeping or reference and do not count as completing a marathon even though you can register to run OR walk marathons nationwide. I used to run long distances before my ACL surgery but currently I can only make it a little over a half marathon before my leg bothers me to the point I have to stop. Everyone on the app for the most part is trying to better their health and progress. Unfortunately the app favors runners and for whatever reason......golfers. A marathon while being a race, is a measurement of distance. Garmin is the only one putting a stipulation that you have to RUN 26.2 miles. Hard to believe that you can run a 2 hour marathon, 5 hour marathon, but if you walk a 6 hour marathon it doesnt count. Just one of my pet peeves with the app. You don't have to agree with me, but you saying someone is cheating bc of what classification of activity they log it as when the distance remains the same is not only a stretch, but quite disrespectful. I'd like to see the app keep record of distances and times regardless of whether it's walking, jogging, or running so each individual can have a reference point of progress and work on bettering themselves on a person to person basis.

0 trux over 3 years ago in reply to 2757678

2757678 said:
if you walk a 6 hour marathon it doesnt count.

Change the activity type to Run in Garmin Connect, and you will have your badge.