Fast Walking Olympics: Race Walking: difference between Fast Walking and Running…

Olympic Fast Walking, Race Walking: difference between Fast Walking and Running… 

What is the difference between Fast Walking and Running?  They walk as fast as we run and they walk as farther as 20 km to 50km. We just cannot imagine walking so very fast and for so very long distance with so very many restrictions. 

Racewalking, or race walking, is a long-distance athletic event. It is a foot race; it is different from running because one of the feet must be in contact with the ground all times during the walk. The length of the Stride is kept at a low for achieving fast speed yet keeping one of the feet, all the time in contact with the ground. 


On the other hand our bodies keep lifted above the ground each time we change our strides or in other words in between two steps while we run.

Firstly, it is kept in mind that the athlete's toe of the rear foot should not leave the ground until the heel of the front foot touches the ground.  Secondly the leg supporting the body should be kept straightened from the point of contact with the ground and remain straightened until the body passes over it. 


Athletes keep their bodies low to the ground and pumping their arms folded at right angle and the elbow keeping close to their hips. 


We may observe an exaggerated swivel of the hips of the walker that results out of the full rotation of the pelvis. Athletes aim to move the pelvis forward, and to minimize sideward motion in order to achieve maximum forward propulsion. 


Fast walkers are tall in height and they maintain controlled weight of their body with enormous stamina and strong muscles. Watch this video and know more about racewalking.
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