One to One with Bill Goodman:
Mark Fenton
aired September 29 and October 1, 2006
National racewalking team member Mark Fenton talks with Bill Goodman about his relatively little-known sport and how his participation in it evolved into involvement in public policy issues on this edition of One to One.
From 1986 to 1990, Fenton was a member of the United States national racewalking team, representing his country in international competitions. In addition, while training for the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Trials in the 50-kilometer (31-mile) racewalk, he studied biomechanics and exercise physiology at the Olympic Training Center’s Sports Science Laboratory in Colorado Springs, CO.
Racewalkers don’t usually achieve the fame enjoyed by the top athletes in the more “glamorous” track sports. But as communities around the country began getting interested in encouraging walking as a way of fighting America’s obesity epidemic, Fenton’s academic training and firsthand knowledge made him a sought-after expert. He has become an advocate for pedestrians and a recognized authority on public health issues and community, environmental, and public-policy initiatives that support walking and bicycling.
The new fitness emphasis even led to a public television series, America’s Walking, which Fenton hosted.
After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MIT, Fenton was manager of research engineering at Reebok for three years. He is a regular columnist for Walking magazine and a speaker and motivator on public health and fitness issues.
Related resource:
- For information about some Kentucky community efforts to improve walkability and encourage exercise, see Program 4 of KET’s The CommonHealth of Kentucky.
