One of the most fascinating events I watched during the Olympics — though not the most action-packed — was the men's 50-kilometer race walk. The route is more than 30 miles (that's longer than a marathon), and these guys were totally booking it; gold medalist Alex Schwazer of Italy finished in three hours and 37 minutes. The striding style is best described as jaunty: arms pumping, hips shaking, and feet always on the verge of breaking into a jog.

I found myself wondering, aren't they tempted to run? And what is it that separates walking from running when you are walking that fast? Since speed walking is very good for you — it can burn as many calories as jogging, and it's better for your joints — I decided to do some research into this event. To see what I learned, read more.

  • Proper form dictates that the arms bend at the elbows at a right angle.
  • Efficient arm movement is crucial for creating momentum. Race walkers relax their hands, keep their arms nearly flush with their sides, and swing the arms from the shoulders.
  • In Olympic race walking, a walker must always have his front foot down when the rear foot picks up. When the front foot hits the ground, the leg should also be straight.
  • Race walkers land heel-first, flexing the ankle on impact then rolling forward through the toes.
  • The walkers are monitored by judges who make sure the athletes have one foot on the ground at all times. If a competitor comes off the track too much, he will receive a warning. Three warnings will result in disqualification.
  • A walker can also be disqualified if he has both feet off the ground during the final 100 meters of a race, even if it's his first violation.

Did you guys watch any of the race walking? What went through your head?

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