The marathon involved participants attempting to travel 656 feet without stopping in no less than an hour and 27 minutes, ANSA reported Tuesday.

Elsewhere, in the city of Bologna, people walking through the center of the city during rush hour were handed poems and literature readings were held around the city in the evening. In Milan, pedestrians considered to be walking too fast were issued symbolic citations to allow them to consider their reasons for not taking time to enjoy their commute.

''It's an occasion to take a little time for yourself and remember that if we're always rushing, we end up taking the wrong road,'' said Bruno Contigiani, the president of the association The Art of Living Slowly who originated Slow Day in 2007.