Race walking

Race walking, or racewalking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Unlike running, in race walking one foot must always seem to be touching the ground. Special race judges watch closely to make sure this rule is followed during the whole race. Races can happen on roads or running tracks, and distances often go from 3,000 metres (about 1.9 miles) up to 100 kilometres (about 62 miles).

Today, the Summer Olympics include the 20 kilometres race walk for both men and women, and the marathon race walk mixed relay, which began at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The longer 50 kilometres race walk for men was stopped after the 2020 Summer Olympics. Other big competitions, like the World Athletics Championships, also have races of 20 and 35 kilometres.

Race walking started from an old British tradition of long-distance walking competitions called pedestrianism, which helped create the rules we use today in the mid-1800s. Over time, athletes from Russia and China have often been very successful, with many good walkers also coming from Europe and parts of Latin America. Unlike other running races, race walkers take smaller steps but must move at a quick pace to stay competitive.

Rules

There are two main rules in race walking. The first rule says that a walker’s back toe cannot leave the ground until the heel of the front foot touches. If this happens, it is called loss of contact. The second rule requires that the leg that is supporting the body must stay straight from when it touches the ground until the body moves over it. These rules are judged just by watching with the human eye.

Race walkers stay close to the ground by moving their arms in a low way near their hips. If a walker’s shoulders go up, it might mean they are not keeping a foot on the ground. They move their body in a way that helps them go forward quickly while keeping a foot touching the ground at all times. Good race walkers can cover long distances at a steady pace.

Distances

Races can be walked at distances as short as 3 kilometres, like in the 1920 Summer Olympics, or as long as 100 km. Today, Olympic events include the 20 km race walk for both men and women, and the 50 km race walk for men only. There are also longer competitions, such as the Paris-Colmar race, which is between 450 to 500 km. Indoor races are usually 3000 m or 5000 m.

Judges

There are judges on the course to watch the race walkers. If a walker breaks the rules three times, they are disqualified. There is a board on the course so walkers can see if they have broken any rules. Races are often held on loops or tracks so judges can see each walker many times. Judges can also warn walkers if they are close to breaking the rules. Disqualifications happen often at top-level races. For example, Jane Saville was disqualified just before winning a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Beginning

Race walking started as one of the first track and field events in 1880 at the first meeting of the English Amateur Athletics Association. It began from rules made to control popular long-distance walking competitions in the 19th century, known as pedestrianism. These walking events were fun activities for people to watch and bet on, much like footraces and horse racing. In 1866, walkers held the first English amateur walking championship, won by John Chambers. The rules for race walking were officially created in 1880, becoming part of modern athletics. Around the same time, other sports like football (soccer) and cricket also got official rules. The race walk was also part of the National Association of Amateur Athletes of America Championships from 1876 to 1879.

Olympics

Race walking is a part of the Summer Olympics. Today, there are two main events: the 20 kilometres race walk for both men and women, and the marathon race walk mixed relay, which started in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Earlier, there was also a 50 kilometres race walk for men, but it was stopped after the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Race walking began in the modern Olympics in 1904 with a short walk event. It became a regular part of the Olympics in 1908 with longer walks. Women started competing in race walking in the Olympics in 1992 after many years of asking to join.

Race walking is also held in other big competitions like the World Cup, the World Athletics Championships, the Commonwealth Games, and the Pan American Games.

World Athletics Race Walking Tour

Since 2003, World Athletics has organized the World Athletics Race Walking Tour. This is an annual worldwide competition series where top athletes earn points. These points give them the chance to compete in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge Final. The winners can share over US$200,000 in prize money. Each year, these events are held in many countries, such as Mexico, Spain, Russia, and China.

Age groups

USA Track & Field has racewalking events for Youth, Open, All-Comers, and Masters levels.

In high school, racewalking can be part of indoor and outdoor track meets. The rules are often a bit easier here. The most common distance is 1500 meters, but races can also happen at 3 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and 10 kilometers. Records and yearly rankings are kept for these events.

As an individual pursuit

Race walking can be done by individuals, just like jogging, even if they are not in a race. Some people who used to jog have switched to race walking because it is easier on their joints. In race walking, one foot must always touch the ground, which helps reduce the stress on ankles, knees, and hips that can cause injuries when running.

Top performers

Main article: 20 kilometres race walk

See also: World record progression 20km walk men

Main article: 50 kilometres race walk

See also: World record progression 50km walk men

Main article: 20 kilometres race walk

See also: World record progression 20km walk women

Main article: 50 kilometres race walk

See also: Women's 50 kilometres walk world record progression

The women's 50 km walk was added to the World Athletics Championships for the first time in 2017. In a meeting in Monaco on 3-4 December 2024, World Athletics announced that the 20 kilometres race walk would be replaced by half marathon race walk, and the 35 kilometres race walk would be replaced by marathon race walk. These changes will start on 1 January 2026.

In popular culture

Race walking has appeared in many TV shows and movies. In the show Malcolm in the Middle, a character joins a race walking team and shows that his rival was just jogging. In the 1966 movie Walk, Don't Run, a race walker competes in the Tokyo Olympics. Another film, Queenpins from 2021, features an Olympic race walker who also loves using coupons. There’s even a comedy film called Racewalkers about a former baseball player who starts race walking.