Physical Training and the Rigors of Marching Band

I know marching band has long gone and the band has moved on to another section of the musical saga but I feel that marching band deserves to be discussed. Around the world, the debate over whether or not marching band is a sport still runs strong. The number of nonbelievers has lessened since the "sport" has intensified but nonetheless, there are still nonbelievers.
In order to prepare for your first game of football at the start of a season, the players on the team must make sure they can last a full hour without becoming fatigued. I have never been on a football team but I imagine their practices consist of running 5-10 miles every practice, at least 100 push-ups and working in the weight room. Granted, a marching band show only lasts 8-10 minutes compared to football's 45-50 minute games but in order to last an 8-10 minute show, you still have to be physically ready. Members of the marching must stretch throughout each practice just like any athlete must. Members also have to run a mile almost every practice. Unlike football, push-ups aren't required to help you perform but they are used as a punishment for misbehavior and mistakes. Depending on how many mistakes you make in a practice, a member could be doing from zero to as many as 100 push-ups in a day. Talking with members of the DCHS football team, they practice for about 5 hours a day 3-4 times a week during the summer. The marching band practices from 8-12 hours 4 times a week in the summer. Aside from what I've already mentioned, there really isn't any more to add. Although marching band doesn't involve weight training in their season like the football does, I would say practicing at least 3 hours longer makes marching band just as physically draining. Both SPORTS require physical readiness to last a whole competition. Physically, there is nothing more to discuss but mentally, a whole new discussion will emerge.