An Event Just for Us: The New Albany Walking Classic
Each and every weekend, walkers just like us line up at the back of the pack—behind the runners—for races. While the runners speed on ahead, competing for prizes and PRs, we follow along behind, just enjoying the scenery, the movement, the camaraderie, and the energy of another race day. We’re making the most of every penny we spent on that race registration fee.
Still, there are often moments when it becomes all too clear that, while we’re allowed to participate in these events, they’re not really for us. My walking friends and I have plenty of stories of races that shut down well before we finished—of courses that reopened to traffic, of refreshment tables torn down, of being greeted at the finish line by someone’s little kid, who was left to hand out the last medals while her parents packed up the tents. Before we sign up for races, we consider course limits—and whether we’ll make it to the post-race party before it’s over.
And that’s why we always look forward to the Sunday in September when we can gather with other people like us for the New Albany Walking Classic.
What Is the Walking Classic?
For twenty years, Central Ohio’s New Albany Walking Classic has celebrated walkers—instead of just allowing them to tag along behind the runners. The event is walking-only, with 5k and 10k courses—along with a competitive division for race-walkers.
For the most part, the event is similar to any in-person race. Participants register online to reserve their spot, and packet pickup is held in the days leading up to the race. There’s even a small expo during packet pickup, complete with some extremely tempting deals on gear.
On race day, participants line up at the starting line before setting out on a chip-timed tour through the streets of New Albany. There are DJs and volunteers lining the course to provide music, encouragement, and refreshment along the way. And once racers cross the finish line, they receive a finisher’s medal before making their way to the post-race party.
What Makes It Special?
While the Walking Classic is run like most other races, there are so many things about it that make it stand out from the rest.
1) The Swag
I first heard about the Walking Classic a few years ago, when I was comparing notes with a runner friend about the best local races. She told me that her other walking friends loved the event—and that the swag was the absolute best around. Since I’m a swag snob, that immediately caught my attention—and she definitely wasn’t wrong.
In the three years that I’ve participated in the Walking Classic, I’ve gotten three solid medals—along with a vibrant half-zip, a comfy tech hoodie, and, for the event’s 20th anniversary this year, a full-zip hooded sweatshirt and a soft cotton t-shirt. But there’s more to the swag than just a medal and a shirt or two. The Walking Classic has some amazing sponsors—so race packets are filled with things like vitamins and water bottles and coupons, as well as samples of things like canned beverages and hydration mixes that you can pick up at the expo. And after this year’s race, I came home with three more bags, filled with things like sunscreen and lip balm, even more vitamins, a couple of cans of Walking Classic-themed beer, and some clever walker-themed goodies from Johnnie Walker.
2) The Setting
I’ve done a pretty wide variety of races. I’ve been stuck in traffic while trying to find an open parking garage for a race through the city streets or for 5k loops around sidewalks, and I’ve waited in line to get into overpriced dirt parking for a race through uneven fields.
For the Walking Classic, meanwhile, parking is so easy—and it’s free, too. There’s a huge surface lot nearby, and I’m always able to find a spot just steps from the starting line.
The course is a scenic path through sometimes jaw-dropping upscale suburban neighborhoods and picturesque golf courses. Most of the race is on roads that have at least one lane closed to the public—with just a short part that goes along a paved sidewalk. And that makes it all peaceful and charming and entirely stress-free.
3) The Vibe
In most cases, it’s the bigger, more high-profile races that have volunteers lining the course. Most of the time, if you’re not doing a big-name event with tens of thousands of participants, you’ll have just a couple of refreshment stations and a couple of volunteers tasked with pointing you in the right direction. But the Walking Classic has the vibe of a much larger race. There are bands playing and cheerleaders lining the route—along with DJs cranking up the tunes and other volunteers holding signs and cheering racers on by shouting and ringing cowbells. Even the families who live along the course join in the fun—and you’ll often see neighbors tailgating in their yards and little girls with pompoms, eager to cheer on the passing walkers. It’s such a fun atmosphere—one that normally comes with a much bigger race.
4) The Post-Race Party
After I participated in my first Walking Classic, it was the post-race party that stood out to me the most. After the average race, you’ll probably get a water bottle and a banana—and maybe a granola bar if you’re lucky. Here, you get a party. The square next to the finish line is lined with sponsors handing out food and gift bags and other goodies. I always look forward to the turkey sliders and ice cream sandwiches and the cinnamon crunch bagels—and this year we also got pizza and cookies and tasty Johnnie Walker cocktails. As I always tell first-timers: there’s no need to figure out lunch on Walking Classic day. And while the average race starts shutting down shortly after some of the slower runners cross the finish line, this race is all for walkers—so, no matter your pace, you won’t miss out on the party.
5) It’s All About Walkers!
Through my years of walking in races, I’ve learned to enjoy the events—and not worry about being a walker in a race designed for runners. Instead of worrying about my pace—or about the runners that finished long before me—I treat these events as a celebration of all of my hard work. But I’m always well aware that I’m not the target audience for these events.
With the Walking Classic, though, walkers aren’t just tolerated; we’re celebrated. We’re not crashing a party for runners; this party is for us! Here, you’re not just a walker; you’re the whole reason for the event. And there’s just something about participating in an event that’s just for walkers that makes you feel good about being a walker. And, really, that alone is worth every penny of the registration fee.
If you live in the Columbus, Ohio, area—or if you’re up for a walking getaway—I can’t recommend this event more. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in registering—because you’re always welcome to celebrate my walking friends.
You can find more information at NewAlbanyWalkingClassic.com
