• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home 2017 London World Championships

The race walks: for Stuart Weir, the walks provided more questions than answers

Stuart Weirby Stuart Weir
August 15, 2017
0
0 0
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Diniz_Yohann-WorCH17.jpgYohann Diniz, France, WR holder, gold medalist, 50k, photo by PhotoRun.net

RunBlogRun opines: The race walks are some of the most iconic events in the sport. Without the most recent addition of the women’s 50k, the race walks may be saved for a generation, but, alas, they will change.

RelatedPosts

Catching Up With World Champion Emma Coburn!

Conseslus Kipruto thinks WR!

Nike Talks World Indoors 2018: Week 3, Day 6: a look back with Bernard Lagat’s win over 3000 meters in Istanbul 2012

Stuart Weir wrote this piece on the walks and his questions. The DQ rate is quite high and that concerned Stuart Weir. If Stuart had asked me, I would have told him that the meet had some well meant but over earnest officiating, but hey, I’m not doctor.

Race-walking question, by Stuart Weir

I spent this morning watching race-walking. I found it interesting but perplexing. It all started when I talked to Gemma Bridge (GB). Her post race comments included the following: “I was determined to finish and not get disqualified and I think my technique was very good”. That shocked me that an athlete would set a goal of finishing and would worry about disqualification.

Then I looked at the stats for the 4 races today:

Men’s 50K

Finished 33 DNF 6 DQ 9

Women’s 50K

Finished 4 DNF 2 DQ 1

Men’s 20K

Finished 58 DNF 3 DQ 3

Women’s 20K

Finished 52 DNF 2 DQ 6

That is of 147 starters 19 or 13% were disqualified. That seemed to be a shockingly high proportion. Imagine if 13% of sprinters were disqualified for false-starting or 13% of distance runners for pushing or obstructing other runners?

There are two offences for which walkers can be DQed. The first rule requires that the athlete’s back toe cannot leave the ground until the heel of the front foot has touched. Violation of this rule is known as loss of contact. The second rule requires that the supporting leg must straighten from the point of contact with the ground and remain straightened until the body passes directly over it. These rules are judged by the unaided human eye. If a walker gets three red cards they are disqualified.

I then studied the reaction of six disqualified walkers as recorded in the official flash-quotes.

Erin Talcott (USA) – “I’m sad, frustrated, disappointed. I felt great out there. I was feeling fantastic, strong. It was such a surprise.”

Edward Araya (CHI) – “I don’t understand what happened so I am very disappointed.”

Dominic King (GBR) – “It’s a bit frustrating. But I have to keep going”.

Andres Chocho (ECU) -“I don’t agree with the judges because the three cards came very fast one after another. I did not change my walking from the start and then suddenly, after 25km, it started — 1, 2,3. I don’t understand it.”

Havard Haukenes (NOR) – “The pace went faster but then I saw I got the first red. So I slowed down and just focused on the technique. After a while, the pace started to accelerate and I was back racing. And then I got the next two. I had a good communication with my coach, all looked good, so I am sad. I will go home, take some rest, see friends and hope to forget this.”

Tom Bosworth (GBR) -“I was feeling great and walking faster than I ever have done. It all seemed to be going fine until 12km, and I got 2 red cards on that lap. I knew I had one from earlier so I was just telling myself to concentrate. But I put in a burst and was pushing the boundaries but it was a real shock to get the third red card. I think that is why it is difficult to take because I wasn’t feeling physically bad. I haven’t been disqualified for four and a half years so to do it here in London is devastating. But this has only made me hungrier for more. These bad days make the good days even sweeter.”

What a range of reactions! Dominic King, gives a very British, understated reaction: “It’s a bit frustrating”. Erin Talcott was surprised. Havard Haukenes is sad. Tom Bosworth is one of the best in the world. He was close to a medal in Rio, he has not been disqualified for nearly 5 years – why today? Has he suddenly changed his technique?

Edward Araya does not understand. Andres Chocho does understand and states clearly that he does not agree with the judges. He also reasonably asks the question: as he did not change his technique why did he have no red cards in the first half of the race and three in the second half?

I have to admit that I came away with more questions than answers.

Author

  • Stuart Weir

    Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

    View all posts
Previous Post

2017 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Summer Cross Country Training Program, Week 9, Day 2, Running those hills

Next Post

Revenge is oh so sweet, Stuart Weir opines on GBR gold medal in men’s 4x100m

Stuart Weir

Stuart Weir

Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

Similar Post

FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025
Continental Tour Gold

FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025

June 17, 2025
Is Beatrice Chebet Quietly Building the Most Dangerous Range in Women’s Distance Running?
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 17, 2025, week 14, day 2, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 17, 2025
2024 Summer Mileage Program, Week 1, Day 4, July 11 , 2024, learning from Adversity
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 16, 2025, week 14, day 1, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025
Diamond League Stockholm
Uncategorized

Diamond League Stockholm

June 16, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 15, Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon, 2:14.28 (1964),  by Walt Murphy News and Results Services
Athletic History

This Day In Track & Field, June 15, Jack Lovelock wins Mile of Century in front of 35,000 fans at Princeton (1935), Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon (1963), written by Walt Murphy

June 16, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025

FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025

June 17, 2025
Is Beatrice Chebet Quietly Building the Most Dangerous Range in Women’s Distance Running?

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 17, 2025, week 14, day 2, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 17, 2025
2024 Summer Mileage Program, Week 1, Day 4, July 11 , 2024, learning from Adversity

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 16, 2025, week 14, day 1, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025
Continental Tour Gold

FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025

June 17, 2025
Is Beatrice Chebet Quietly Building the Most Dangerous Range in Women’s Distance Running?
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 17, 2025, week 14, day 2, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 17, 2025
2024 Summer Mileage Program, Week 1, Day 4, July 11 , 2024, learning from Adversity
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 16, 2025, week 14, day 1, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

Revenge is oh so sweet, Stuart Weir opines on GBR gold medal in men's 4x100m

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved