Race walking is an event contested in all levels of the sport of track & field, from youth athletics up to and including the Olympic Games. It is a demanding event that requires some technical preparation to be successful. Race walking is continuing to grow in popularity across the country in all age groups for those who want to compete or walk for fitness.
Race walking differs from running in that it requires the competitor to maintain contact with the ground and straighten their front knee when the foot makes contact with the ground, keeping it straightened until the knee passes under the body. Judges evaluate the technique of race walkers and report fouls which may lead to disqualification. All judging is done by the eye of the judge and no outside technology is used in making judging decisions. Many race walk competitions are held in conjunction with other scheduled meets.