Walking divisions

For 10 years WoW Power Walking has been committed to challenging the status quo on the traditional view of walking. The traditional view is reflected in the derogatory modifier, "just" that often precedes the word "walking". As in, he is "just walking" the marathon.

You would think that 10 years on, when so many walkers reliably pass participants who run-walk events, that we would be seeing more races committed to recognizing the special effort it takes to train to use the walking gait only from start to finish.

We have all experienced the sensation when walking as fast as we can that running would be easier. That place of effort where walking is a greater challenge to both muscles and cardiovascular ability than running is a sweet spot because the risk for injury to the joints is much lower than running.

The mechanical advantage for speed resulting from the spring action of joint use in running is real but it does not negate the very real workout and fitness levels that can be obtained from power walking. The speed advantage of the running gait does suggest that walkers should be compared on the race course to other walkers, not to runners.

I urge all power walkers to request that their local race organizations recognize the special walking effort. Encourage walk divisions with separate result postings including clear guidelines on walking and follow-through on compliance to these walking guidelines. Offer to help with this. Many race organizers see it as an added complexity that makes race day logistics too challenging.

I believe it's a matter of will that walkers be recognized in separate divisions in races and I believe our collective will should be strong enough to make it reality.

Please post any of your ideas as to how we can make this happen here!