Mark Fenton: Biographical Sketch

 

Mark Fenton is host of the PBS television series America’s Walking, a consultant to the University of North Carolina’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, and an instructor in the walkable community workshop series of the Washington DC-based National Center for Bicycling and Walking.  He is a contributing editor to Health and Heart Healthy Living magazines, and has written numerous books including Pedometer Walking (Lyons Press, 2006) and The Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Lyons Press, 2001).

He is a vocal pedestrian advocate and recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental and public-policy initiatives to encourage more walking and bicycling. Mark has worked with a number of the YMCA’s interdisciplinary Pioneering Healthy Communities teams to develop plans for activity-promoting policies and projects. He is also a consultant to the Active Living by Design  program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Mark is an entertaining, persuasive and knowledgeable walking advocate, and one the nation’s foremost experts on its favorite exercise. The former editor-at-large of Walking Magazine is also a champion walker. From 1986 to 1990, Mark was a member of the US national racewalking team five times, he represented the US in several international competitions, and he coached the US team at the 1995 World Championships in Beijing. In addition, he studied biomechanics and exercise physiology at the Olympic Training Center Sports Science Laboratory in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Mark’s interest in the field began with the study of the biomechanics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After earning BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering, Mark worked as manager of research engineering at Reebok. His work led to numerous publications related to exercise science, human performance, and athletic footwear and materials, while also providing plentiful insight into the health benefits of walking.

Currently, Mark uses that knowledge as an author, consultant to communities and work sites, and as a speaker and motivator on public health and fitness issues. His instruction spans the spectrum from introductory fitness-walking and Nordic walking clinics to coaching elite athletes, and from summaries of surveillance data to consulting on transportation policies and innovative community design.

Certain that he must practice what he preaches, Mark walks as often as he can--usually with his wife and two children--for fun, transportation, and to stay in shape for hiking, cycling, orienteering, kayaking and cross-country skiing whenever they have a chance.