Matthew Algeo
Matthew Algeo(Facebook)
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Pedestrianism is the title of a book written by former Rochester resident Matthew Algeo.

He was interviewed Wednesday by Tracy McCray and Andy Brownell on KROC-AM's Rochester Today.  Algeo phoned in from Mongolia, where his wife is working for the U.S. State Department.

Pedestrianism is Algeo's fourth book, and all three have dealt with some "quirky" American history.

His latest work provides a history of a sport that most Americans have never heard of, but at its peak, Pedestrianism was all the rage.  Algeo describes how professional walkers would stage marathon competitions during which they would walk for six-days straight in contests decided by both speed and endurance.

Before the popularity of the sport waned after the introduction of bicycle races, the distances walked by the celebrity athlete pedestrians were approaching 600 miles per race!

Learn more about the book by visiting the Pedestrianism Facebook page.

Listen to the entire interview by clicking on the play button.

 

 

 

 

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