How long will someone walk for $1,000 in cash? During the Depression, it was 88 days, four hours, 20 minutes and 30 seconds. It began on January 31; it concluded on April 30, 1935, more than 12 weeks.
In 1935, an interstate walkathon was sponsored by the Regent Cafe, 218 E. Cortland St., Jackson, Michigan. The grueling event drew 42 couples and four individuals.
The winning pair was team No. 6, consisting of Tommy McGeer of Detroit and Jackie Airgood of Pontiac. The pair hoofed around the former Elks Temple, 312 S. Jackson St., the building that is now the Jackson County Courthouse. Walkers circled the dance floor while the spectators kept watch from the surrounding balcony.
For the full article with picture, see Susanne Weible, “Walkers strolled around dance floor for 88 days”, Jackson Citizen Patriot, September 29, 2008.