Miles for Millions Walkathon
Encyclopedia
The Miles for Millions walkathon
was introduced to Canada
in 1967. It was modeled after the Oxfam
, United Kingdom
, walkathon which was created to alleviate third world hunger and poverty. Like the Oxfam walkathon, the Miles for Millions was intentionally designed to cover an extraordinary distance of 35 miles (56.3 km) - now known as an ultramarathon. During the 1960s and 1970s hundreds of thousands of Canadians participated in the annual walkathon to raise money to alleviate the poverty and hunger crises in South Asian and Africa. The walk metaphorically resembled a pilgrimage; a personal and collective challenge demanding both political and social conviction to end poverty around the world. The walkathon included participants of all ages, including school children. Walkers were required to devote an entire day to the cause as well as soliciting pledges before participating in the walk. Pledges were based on the distance the participants walked. Many schools endorsed the Miles for Millions fundraiser as a way to teach social consequences to children and youth.
Walkathon
A walkathon , walking marathon or sponsored walk is a type of community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course...
was introduced to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1967. It was modeled after the Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, walkathon which was created to alleviate third world hunger and poverty. Like the Oxfam walkathon, the Miles for Millions was intentionally designed to cover an extraordinary distance of 35 miles (56.3 km) - now known as an ultramarathon. During the 1960s and 1970s hundreds of thousands of Canadians participated in the annual walkathon to raise money to alleviate the poverty and hunger crises in South Asian and Africa. The walk metaphorically resembled a pilgrimage; a personal and collective challenge demanding both political and social conviction to end poverty around the world. The walkathon included participants of all ages, including school children. Walkers were required to devote an entire day to the cause as well as soliciting pledges before participating in the walk. Pledges were based on the distance the participants walked. Many schools endorsed the Miles for Millions fundraiser as a way to teach social consequences to children and youth.