RACE WALK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE USA

By Vince Peters, National Chairman of Racewalking (last update -3 December 2011)

 mv_tc@sbcglobal.net

(937) 767-7424

Though he isn’t an American, and not even a race walker, Steve Cram, the great British distance runner said something extremely relevant, “There is a time when most athletes reach a crossroads in their career. Even the most talented need to realize that success at the highest level requires a new set of parameters in training and attitude and that without devotion - bordering on obsession - the path desired by most remains impossible to find.”

 

Steve Cram was talking about stepping it up to the next level.

 

Because even if you possess all the knowledge about how to train, and are blessed with the ability to walk with a perfect technique, you cannot get to the next level without a dedication from within.  And that dedication can only be accomplished with a single-minded purpose in establishing priorities, managing time, and setting of goals.

 

For teenagers the first next level after obtaining success via USATF Junior Olympics or in a HS program is earning a spot on the USA Junior Team.  For those already there it may be race walking at the collegiate level.  Certainly, for everyone, it is moving into the Open Ranks and competing on one of the numerous USA teams that compete internationally.  And someday, certainly in everyone’s dreams, lays the attainment of the ultimate level – a walk to the Olympic medal podium.

 

What does it take to move to the next level?

 

Dedication, talent and hard work are givens.  These are all factors that you, with help from your coach, can control.    The one that comes from outside is Opportunity.   For without opportunity there isn’t anything for your devotion to be focused on.  No opportunity – no justification for short or long term goals, no motivation to obtain the next level.

 

There are five (5) basic opportunities of which I want to make you aware through this letter:

 

• Collegiate Walking
• The USATF Race Walk Grand Prix Circuit
• Al Heppner College Scholarship
• Getting into the USA National Championships
• International Teams

 

1)      Collegiate Walking

 

Competitive walking at the collegiate level is an opportunity awaiting all high school age athletes.  The hand out “A Letter To High School T&F Athletes About Race Walking In College” provides detailed information about the current status of race walk opportunities at the collegiate level.   It also provides a large number of contacts for obtaining additional information about the colleges which have race walking as a regular part of their T&F program.  There are scholarships available to HS athletes for race walking in college – so consult this document.

 

How fast a walker must you be to get into the elite field of 20 that competes at the NAIA Collegiate National Track & Field Championships in the race walk?  Most top HS walkers are already there.  

The 2011 qualifying standards are:

 

 

 

2)      Race Walk Grand Prix Circuit

 

The USA Track & Field RW Grand Prix Circuit is a collection of races throughout the year at which an athlete can score points based upon his/her finish in that race.  Six categories are maintained encompassing junior and open men and women, as well as master (over 35) men and women.  The top 3 finishers in each at the end of the year will be recognized by an award.  Top three men and women in the open division also receive bonus cash awards at a season ending recognition ceremony.

 

The individual events comprising the Grand Prix Circuit are identified in the Composite Schedule for the year.   This is available on-line at:

http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USARaceWalkingGrandPrixSeries/

 

While the Junior Division of the circuit doesn’t offer any prize money, the open division does.   For those athletes who have completed their collegiate eligibility there is approximately $50,000 in prize money awarded annually.

 

 

3)      Al Heppner Scholarship

 

While not under the precepts of USATF, all college and high school athletes need to know of the existence of the Al Heppner Scholarship.   Named in the memory of one of our National team members who died in 2004, this scholarship is awarded annually to a college sophomore, junior, or senior who has exhibited excellence in the class room and in race walking.   Athletes applying for the scholarship must have completed a 20k race and write an essay about their ambitions within race walking.  Deadline for applications is October 1^st.  For more info go to:

 

  http://www.eracewalk.com/Nari.htm

or

  http://www.narionline.org/nari/Programs/AlHeppner.asp

 

 

 

 

This scholarship was worth $2,500 to the winner.  Past winners include:

 

• 2004 – Anne Favoloise, University of Wisconsin - Parkside
• 2005 - Maria Michta, CW Post University, NY
• 2006 - Patrick Stroupe, Central Methodist University, Missouri
• 2007 - Maria Michta, CW Post University, NY
• 2008 - Chris Tegtmeier, Concordia University, Nebraska & Lauren Forgues, University of Phoenix
• 2009 – Chris Tegtmeier, Concordia Univ., Nebraska & Miranda Melville, Univ. of Wis. – Parkside
• 2010 – Katie Burnett, William Penn University, Iowa.
• 2011 - Katie Burnett, William Penn University, Iowa.

4)      USA National Track & Field Championships:

 

A)    The 2012 Junior National Championships in Track & Field will be at the University of Indiana (Bloomington, Indiana) the weekend of June 16^th & 17^th, with the 10,000m Race Walks for the junior men and women taking place on the 17^th.   Juniors may also qualify for the nationals at 3k or 5k distances.

 

B)    2012 Olympic Trials:  Fabled Hayward Field – Steve Prefontaine’s home turf – in Eugene, Oregon, will be the site of the Olympic Trials in 2012.  Qualifying standards in 2012 Olympic Trials are outlined in the table below.  Senior Men and Women compete at 20k:

 

 

5)      International Teams

 

There are usually several team opportunities each year. The tables below outline the possibilities:

 

 

 

 

*  Teams for these competitions are not currently funded for 2011-12

World Champs & Olympic Games Qualifying Competitions -

The list that was submitted to the IAAF identifying the competitions held during 2012 within the United States at which an athlete can walk an IAAF ratified mark for the Olympic Games (2012) or the 2013 World T&F Championship is below:

The events currently on the USA list are:
50k USA Nationals/Olympic Trials, Santee, California, - January 2012

20k World Cup Trials – Eugen, Oregon – April 1^st, 2012

20k USATF Nationals, Eugene, Oregon – June 30 & July 1^st, 2012

30k USATF RW Nationals, Valley Cottage, NY – 28 October, 2012   

 

These events will meet the IAAF mandated requirements of being conducted on a course measured by an IAAF/AIMS A or B measurer, and be judged by a minimum of three IAAF walking judges (Level II or III).

 

The 2012 IAAF RACE WALK CUP will be held in Saransk, Russia, on May 12-13, 2012.  The qualifying standards for the 16-19 years olds eligible to compete (cannot turn 20 in 2012) are:   52:30 for Junior Women & 48:00 for Junior Men.  Three junior men and 3 junior women comprise the traveling team.  Performances must be achieved during the trials competition. 

 

The 2012 IAAF World Junior T&F Championships will be held in Barcelona, Spain.  The athletes will be selected from the USATF Junior Nationals T&F Championships in Bloomington, Indiana. (Qualifying standard in RW at 10,000m/10k at date of the race in Barcelona, Spain):

·          Men: 44:20.00         (July 13 - 9:00 am)

·          Women: 51:00.00    (July 11 - 9:30 am)

 

 

 

USA OLYMPIC TRIALS:

Qualifying for the 2012 USA's Olympic Trials in the 20k and 50k will be somewhat simpler.  The athlete need only achieve the standards below in a USATF sanctioned race with 5 judges for a track race and a minimum of 6 judges for a road course in accordance with USATF rules.   Races conducted on a road must be held on a USATF certified course.

The following are the 2012 standards:
USA 50K Olympic Trials (Men only)  -  4 hours 45 minutes.
USA 20K Olympic Trials - Men - 1 hour and 36 minutes
USA 20K Olympic Trials - Women - 1 Hour and 48 minutes

 

The qualifying period for the USA's 50K Olympic Trials started on 1 January 2010.   Qualifying for the USA's 20k Olympic Trials for men and women commenced on 1 January 2011.  Qualifying period for the 2012 Olympic Games will start on 1 January 2011 for the race walks.