2A - MORE ON ... THE BASICS OF RACE WALKING
 
COMPETITIVE RACE WALKING
 
For many racewalkers, competition is the name of the game. They train hard to beat other walkers, set new personal records, or even establish new world, national, state, or age-group records. While world-class athletes are capable of walking at very high rates of speed, local competitors typically race at between 8 and 15 minutes per mile --- with most racing in the 11 to 13 minute-per-mile range. Competitors range in age from under 10 to over 90 and, in the U.S., women outnumber men about 2-to-1.
 
Competitive racewalking is generally a long-distance event with races covering up to 100 miles. In world-class races, men typically race for 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and 50 kilometers (31.1 miles), and women race for 20 kilometers (recently increased from 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles). While the 5-kilometer race tends to be the most popular distance overall, 1500m, 3K, 8K, and 10K races are also frequently held.

 
 
RACE WALKING FOR FITNESS
 
For many other race walkers, fitness is the primary goal. They realize race walking can carry them to ANY level of cardiovascular fitness and, when combined with a good strength training regimen, can help them reach their overall fitness goal -- whatever level that might be. Many, if not most, fitness race walkers regularly participate in local runs, walks, and race walks. They enjoy the competition not so much for the awards they receive but for the motivation such challenges provide during their everyday workouts. They are, in effect, competing with themselves and thereby measuring the success of their fitness program through participation in such events.