Overview Of Race walking

Game Rules

There are two rules that govern racewalking.

1)The first rule dictates that the athlete's back toe cannot leave the ground until the heel of the front foot has touched. Violation of this rule is known as loss of contact. 

2)The second rule requires that the supporting leg must straighten from the point of contact with the ground and remain straightened until the body passes directly over it. These rules are judged by the unaided human eye. Athletes regularly lose contact for a few milliseconds per stride, which can be caught on film, but such a short flight phase is said to be undetectable to the human eye.

Athletes stay low to the ground by keeping their arms pumping low, close to their hips. If one sees a racewalker's shoulders rising, it may be a sign that the athlete is losing contact with the ground. What appears to be an exaggerated swivel to the hip is, in fact, a full rotation of the pelvis. Athletes aim to move the pelvis forward, and to minimize sideways motion in order to achieve maximum forward propulsion. Speed is achieved by stepping quickly with the aim of rapid turnover. This minimizes the risk of the feet leaving the ground. Strides are short and quick, with pushoff coming forward from the ball of the foot, again to minimize the risk of losing contact with the ground. World-class racewalkers (male and female) can average under four and five minutes per kilometre in a 20-km racewalk.

Distances:

Races have been walked at distances as short as 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)—at the 1920 Summer Olympics—and as long as 100 km (62.1 mi). Records are noted for the 50 miles (80.5 km); the men's world record for the 50-mile race walk is held by Israeli Shaul Ladany, through his race of 7:23:50 in 1972 in New Jersey, shattering the world mark that had stood since 1935.The modern Olympic events are the 20 km (12.4 mi) race walk (men and women) and 50 km (31 mi) race walk (men only).

Equipments Need For Race walking

Basic Racewalking Gear:

Shoes:  "Footwear is the most important thing for racewalkers," says Jackinsky. "You can't land on your toes during racewalking. You land on your heels and roll all the way through."

To promote the heel-to-toe rolling motion, shoes should have a lower heel, which will allow the foot to come in contact with the ground quicker. This roll is crucial because racewalkers don't land on their toes.

Finding proper footwear can be tricky, which is why Jackinsky patented a midsole designed specifically for a walker's needs. Her brand, Reshod, replaces both the midsole and outsole of the shoes with a sole that enhances the rocking motion needed for opitmal form and speed. 

Sweat-Wicking Socks: Walkers should avoid cotton socks. Cotton holds sweat close to the body allowing for the formation of blisters.

Comfortable Clothing: Choosing the right outfit is important. Fabrics should have sweat-wicking capabilities. Tight-fitting clothes can lead to chaffing. Jackinsky also suggests newbies invest in a pair of shorts that won't ride up.

Hydration Gear: Like other sports, racewalking works up a sweat and generates a thirst. For longer walks, Jackinsky recommends a hydration pack so walkers can carry their water with them.

Tunes: Like runners who have a favorite song or playlist that get their adrenaline pumping, Jackinsky recommends good music. Her go-to songs? Walk of Life by Dire Straits or Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves.

Accessories: Sunny days or summer temperatures might require sunglasses, hat or a visor. In cooler temperatures racewalkers might need gloves or warm layers.

What to Avoid

Jeans: Denim jeans don't offer breathability. In inclement weather, denim soaks up moisture becoming very heavy and could lead to chaffing.

Drab Colors or Black at Night: Visibility is important for light-night walks. Light-colored T-shirts or reflective vests are key ways to increase awareness and safety.

Weights: While strength training is an important aspect of fitness, Jackinsky doesn't recommend strapping ankle or wrist weights on before a walk. "Ankle or wrist weight throw off body balance," she says. "I don't recommend them."

History Of Race walking

Competitive walking appeared in England by the early 17th century as aristocrats wagered over whose footman was fastest. With sizable sums at stake, nobleman sought footmen with speed and stamina. The sport had few rules. Competitors were expected to use a "fair heel and toe" technique, trotting as necessary to ward off cramps, but not running. 

Competition between footmen gave way, during the second half of the 18th century to men racing against time over long distances. "Pedestrians" (as the walkers were called) could win very large fees, and side bets were common. One of the more popular goals involved covering at least 100 miles in 24 hours. 

In the early 1800s, "amateur racewalking" emerged at private sporting clubs in large cities. It was introduced into the Olympics in 1908 for men (in 1992 for women). The Olympics now include racewalks of 10K for women, and 20K and 50K for men. (At 31.1 miles, the men's 50K racewalk is the longest Olympic road racing event.)]

Race Walking Joins the Olympic Games:

Although by the early 1900s, race walking's popularity was on the decline, its popularity gained a little boost when it was added to the Olympic Games. Many people believe walking's induction to the Olympics occurred at the 1908 games; however, it was actually somewhat before that. In 1904, the race walk made its first appearance in the Olympics as an 880-yard racing event within the decathlon. It was also included in the 1906 Interim Olympic Games in Athens, but these games were never recognized as official.

Early Race Walking Rules:

The rules governing race walking in the early years, while worded differently, are surprisingly similar in intent to the rules of today. While I will not list all of them here, here is a sample of the most relevant rule pertaining to the action of the legs:

"As the foremost foot in taking a step touches the ground, the knee must not be bent. The heel must touch the ground first and the toe be the last portion of the foot to leave it. It is imperative that the heel of the foremost foot must touch the ground before the toe of the other foot ceases to have contact with it."

Modern Day Race Walking:

Today race walking is governed by a two part definition that separates it from running or 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 in the vertical upright position.

While there are many nuances to learning and perfecting race walking, if you follow the previous two part definition, you are a race walker. Following these rules will make you a faster and safer walker. If you perfect them, perhaps you could walk as fast as some of the best in the world.

Origin Of Race walking

The Earliest Years:

Competitive race walking's roots trace back as far as 2500 B.C., when Egyptian hieroglyphics recorded the first written account of a walking competition. Similar evidence indicates that walking competitions existed in early Greek civilizations. These early contests were loosely defined. Many were simply go-as-you-please, long distance events, with competitors alternating at will between running and walking. But the sport has evolved through several incarnations since these times.

The Gambling Invasion:

One of these evolutions involved betting large sums of money on walking contests. One famous example occurred in England in 1589. An English nobleman, Sir Robert Carey, wagered he could walk non-stop for 300 miles. Winning the bet, he set the stage for even greater walking feats. In 1608 he journeyed an amazing 2000 miles across Europe in 41 days.

The 18th Century:

While long-distance feats by individual walkers certainly captured the public's eye, it wasn't long before head-to-head races were scheduled. However, there was a change in players. Noblemen weren't battling it out for glory. Instead they enlisted gladiators to do their bidding. The early walkers of the 17th and 18th century were often a nobleman's footmen. Footmen had a lot of occupational training; they walked alongside a nobleman's carriage and often walked ahead to ready affairs in the town before the nobleman got there. Though a far cry from the 5K weekend shuffles we are accustomed to, these early events mark the beginning of regularly held walking competitions.

The sport of pedestrianism came full circle by the mid 18th century. The second half of the 18th century saw individual walkers battling the clock in the quest for glory and riches.

Governing Bodies

International Association of Athletics Federations(IAAF):

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded on 17 July 1912 at its first congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation. Since October 1993, it has been headquartered in Monaco.

Beginning in 1982, the IAAF passed several amendments to its rules allowing athletes to receive compensation for participation in international athletics competitions. However, the IAAF retained the word "amateur" in its name until its 2001 Congress at which the IAAF's name was changed to its current form.

The IAAF's current president is Lamine Diack of Senegal. He became Acting President shortly after the death of the previous president, Primo Nebiolo of Italy in November 1999, and was elected President at the 2001 Congress.

Competitions:

World Athletics Series:

IAAF World Championships in Athletics

IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics

IAAF World Cross Country Championships

IAAF World Half Marathon Championships

IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics

IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics

IAAF World Race Walking Cup

IAAF World Marathon Cup

IAAF Continental Cup

IAAF World Relays

One-day events:

IAAF Diamond League

IAAF World Challenge Meetings

IAAF Indoor Permit Meetings

IAAF Label Road Races

IAAF Cross Country Permit Meetings

IAAF World Combined Events Challenge

IAAF World Race Walking Challenge

IAAF Road Race Label Events:

IAAF World Road Running Championships

IAAF World Road Relay Championships

IAAF World Athletics Tour

IAAF Golden League

IAAF Super Grand Prix

IAAF Grand Prix

IAAF Grand Prix Final

IAAF World Athletics Final

IAAF World Cross Challenge

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