Chairman
Jim Norvill

(404) 693-5026
RaceWalk@usatfga.org

Vice Chairman
Steve Hubbartt

(770) 454-1242
skhubbar@southernco.com

Secretary
Jean Williams

(678) 353-7302
E1TrackClub@AOL.com

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is race walking?
2. What does race walking look like?
3. How fast does a race walker go?
4. Why race walk?
5. Who can race walk?
6. How do you learn to race walk?

Race walking is a style of fast walking. Race Walkers must follow two rules: at least one foot must be in contact with the ground, and the lead leg must be straight from the moment of contact until the leg as vertical. Both rules are as seen by the unaided human eye, so what you can see with slow motion video is not considered. 

What does race walking look like?

Here is an example of race walking -- Thanks to Phil Howell and eRaceWalk.com. Notice that Jefferson Perez is clearly following the rules of race walking -- one foot appears to always be touching the ground and the lead leg appears to be straight at the moment of contact until the leg is well behind the body. Notice also how little Jefferson is going up and down. He looks smooth.

Why race walk?

There are lots of reasons. Here are a few that seem important.

1. Race walking lets an experienced, in-shape fitness walker, continue to improve aerobic fitness by allowing the walker to go faster, and hence challenge their own aerobic system.
2. Race walkers experience significantly lower impact forces than runners, joggers and fitness walkers, because race walk technique results in extremely smooth motion for the upper body, and it is the weight of the body falling onto the landing leg that results in most of the impact forces.
3. Race walking is an endurance sport that takes almost no specialized equipment (only shoes), and can be done almost anywhere in almost any weather.
4. Race walking is an Olympic sport, with only a few US walkers competing for the spots. Do you want to make an Olympic team?

Almost everyone. If you can walk, and your doctor allows you to perform brisk activity, then you can learn to race walk. Race walking is a life-long activity, with people participating from 6-100+ years old.

How do you learn to race walk?

The simplest way to learn to race walk is to find a walking club in your area that teaches race walking. If you live in Georgia, come to the Introduction To Race Walking classes. There are books and DVDs available from NARF and racewalk.com as well as many other sites on the web..

Race Walking Rules

• NAIA uses USATF rules
• USATF Rules Website
• WMA Rules Website
• IAAF Rules Website

Race Walking Forms

• Disqualification Cards
• Judge's Tally Sheets
• Road Race Summary Sheet
• Large Road Race Red Card Quick Summary
• Track Race Summary Sheet
• Large Track Race Red Card Quick Summary

Race Walk Judge Training

• 2008 Race Walk Officiating Handbook -
• 2008 High School RW Judging
• Lap Scoring George Kleeman, rev. 2006

Equipment