The Long Walk: Reflections on the Journey of Long-Distance Walking and a Realization That 1 Mile Equals 1.6 Kilometers

Insights on Walking Speed and Distance Display

In The Long Walk, the participants must keep walking without dropping below a speed of 4.8 kilometers per hour until only one person remains. Whenever someone dies or the day changes, the film displays the total distance walked in the lower-left corner of the screen, allowing viewers to understand how far the walkers have traveled.

The rule of maintaining 4.8 kilometers per hour felt oddly specific, and I wondered why such an awkward number was chosen. The mystery was solved when both miles and kilometers were shown on the screen. Since 1 mile equals 1.6 kilometers, three miles convert to 4.8 kilometers. In other words, the required speed of 4.8 km/h is simply 3 miles per hour. The number "3" feels neat and tidy in miles, but when converted to kilometers, it becomes 4.8, which feels strangely uneven.

The Physical Load of Walking at 4.8 km/h

Walking continuously at 4.8 kilometers per hour is not extremely difficult for short periods. Anyone who has used a treadmill can easily imagine the pace. On flat ground, it feels like a slightly brisk walk. My usual walking speed is around 4 km/h, though some people naturally walk at 5 km/h. This difference explains why "walking time from the station" varies from person to person. It's safer to assume a range between 4 and 5 km/h.

Questions About the Death Game's Premise

The Long Walk is a death game in which the last remaining walker receives prize money and any wish granted. However, everyone else dies. Because of this, I never fully understood why the characters voluntarily chose to participate, risking their lives. If the speed drops below 4.8 km/h (3 mph), they are immediately killed. It's an unreasonable rule, and I would never join such a game.

Although hints of motives--revenge, peace, and other personal reasons--appear throughout the film, none felt convincing enough to justify risking one's life. I wanted to know the true reasons behind their decisions. Since the original story is by Stephen King, perhaps the novel explains it more clearly. But if the mystery remains unresolved, I might end up feeling frustrated, so I'm hesitant to read it for now.

The Film's Appeal and Its Limitations

The film is engaging because the theme of "walking endlessly" is unusual, and the uncertainty of the ending keeps the tension high. However, death-game films are not something I can watch repeatedly, which is unfortunate. If The Long Walk were a non-lethal walking challenge, I would probably enjoy rewatching it many times.

Interest in Long-Distance Walking

The final walker continues for more than just two or three days. It made me wonder whether it is truly possible to walk for such a long period without rest while maintaining over 4.8 km/h. I want to test my own limits--how long I can walk and how far I can go--sometime this year. Of course, in a safe, non-lethal version of the walk. I hope others who watch the film also feel inspired to travel or walk long distances.

What I Learned From the Film

The best thing I gained from watching The Long Walk was a healthy desire to challenge myself with long-distance walking. Another benefit was memorizing that 1 mile equals 1.6 kilometers.

10 miles = 16 kilometers
100 miles = 160 kilometers

This will make it much easier to understand distances in future foreign films that use miles instead of kilometers.

Related Books (Amazon)

Related Book (Rakuten)

[Product image may differ depending on update timing]

The Long Walk [Stephen King]
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included, free shipping) (as of 2026/7/4)

Buy on Rakuten