Race Walking - What is Race Walking?

Race walking is not just walking fast. Race walking is defined by rules from the USATF Rulebook.

RULE 230
GENERAL RULES
1. Article II and Article III, Sections I and IV, of the Rules of Competition shall be followed unless otherwise provided in this Section VII. In the rules of those articles and sections, all forms of the word "run" shall be construed to apply to the corresponding form of "walk."

2. Definition of Race Walking. Race Walking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes contact with the ground so that no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occurs. The advancing leg must be straightened (i.e., not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the leg is in the vertical upright position.
Disqualification for failure to adhere to the above definition is governed by Rule 230.3. (See diagram, p. 197.)

How to Judge Race Walking

Race walking competitions are judged to ensure that the two rules are followed. Creeping is failing to keep the knee straight. Lifting is loss of contact by both feet at the same time. A race walker may be given a warning or may be disqualified during the race for violating either rule.

• Race Walking Officiating Guidelines: From USATF. pdf.
• Race Walking Officiating HandbookAdobe Acrobat (.pdf) file with diagrams.

Race Walking Technique Tutorial