[3][4] By the end of the 18th century, and especially with the growth of the popular press, feats of foot travel over great distances (similar to a modern Ultramarathon) gained attention, and were labelled "pedestrianism".

[8] Later racewalkers proved to be more successful, especially Ada Anderson, who after walking 1,500 miles (2,400 km) in 1000 hours was labelled by the press 'Champion Lady Walker of the World',[9] This feat had been achieved by a man in 1852.

Despite the early hour, upwards of 4000 spectators were there at the finish, and "the last mile and a half was walked in procession with lighted torches, a band of music and a large bonfire blazed forth to welcome the accomplishment of this unprecedented feat.

By the end of the 19th century, pedestrianism was largely displaced by the rise in modern spectator sports and by controversy involving rules, which limited its appeal as a source of wagering and led to its inclusion in the amateur athletics movement and eventually the creation of racewalking.

Pedestrianism was first codified in the latter half of the 19th century, evolving into what became racewalking, while diverging from the long-distance cross country fell running, other track and field athletics, and recreational hiking or hillwalking.

[17] The longer form of "ultra marathon" walking featured in the popular press and in the decade after the American Civil War in the United States was a source of fascination.

[18] In the United States a series of women's competitions were staged, special indoor tracks were built in some towns, and intra-community long distance pedestrianism came into vogue.

This vague code was the basis for the rules codified at the first championships meeting in 1880 of the Amateur Athletics Association in England, the birth of modern track and field.