Runners in the walking divisions

Life has been good on the walking front over the past few years. More and more race organizers are recognizing the efforts walkers are making to be the best competitors they can be. It is so thrilling to see a prestigious race like the CRIM 10-mile road race in Flint, Michigan create a new division for power walkers. This division is not as technical as race walking but still insists that one foot be kept on the ground at all times and there should be no excessive head bobbing (which is indicative of a running gait).

As a long-time fitness professional I see this trend toward more walking divisions as a positive move in the broader terms of society's fitness. Walking has always been accessible, popular, and sustainable. With these walking divisions we're challenging walkers of all abilities to get more fit.

Still, we are faced with some growing pains. We still have people entering the walking division who are running or running with walking breaks. I like to believe that these people just don't understand that a power walk division means all walking. I like to believe that over time, and with some clear communication, everyone in the power walk divisions will be walking.

Our numbers are still small enough that many race organizers do not want to deal with protests by walk division competitors that another competitor was running.

I have been working hard locally, and not so locally, to educate everyone including race organizers, participants, runners, and spectators on what power walking entails. We need to continue to encourage race organizers to have walk divisions, we need to be the best participants we can be to raise the level of the event, and we need to help race organizers wherever possible to make the walk divisions work for both race management and participant.

If you have any suggestions, let's start a conversation here.

P.S. Sorry I missed the blog last Thursday – too much walking, not enough writing about walking!