by Larry Eder
Sergey Bakulin, 2011 WC 50km, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
The 50,000m Race Walk is the longest, most grueling event on the World Champs and Olympic schedule. The U.S. has had a long history in the 50k, including two bronze medals, 1968 and 1972 by the iconic Larry Young, now a world renowned artist.
Race walking requires the oxygen uptake of a world class cross country skier with the agility of a sprinter. Technique is key, even while exhausted.
That we did not have a representative in 2011 is just sad. The key is finding athletes with the drive, and endurance to brave 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours on the roads.
Elliott Denman covered the 50k for RBR, which was held on Saturday, September 3, 2011, in the streets of Daegu, Korea. Here is his report: ,
Sergey Bakulin, 2011 WC 50km, photo by PhotoRun.net
By ELLIOTT DENMAN
DAEDGU, KOREA – The red cards were flying all around Gongpyeong Junction.
Here, there, everywhere.
Mr. Fred Bianchi, chief judge of
racewalking at the 13th World Championships of Track and Field, put his
red paddle to steady use Saturday morning as Day Eight of the Worlds
began with the men’s 50-kilometer racewalk. A total of three red cards
for a walker – written out by members of the judges panel, who hailed
from eight different nations – represented a walkers’ greatest misery –
being shown the dreaded red paddle, meaning disqualification.
racewalking at the 13th World Championships of Track and Field, put his
red paddle to steady use Saturday morning as Day Eight of the Worlds
began with the men’s 50-kilometer racewalk. A total of three red cards
for a walker – written out by members of the judges panel, who hailed
from eight different nations – represented a walkers’ greatest misery –
being shown the dreaded red paddle, meaning disqualification.
DQs – always for technique
violations, either “lifting” or “failure to straighten,” – spell
relegation to the sidelines, and no chance at all of “having a good
day,” as so many Daegu-ites wish their visitors.
violations, either “lifting” or “failure to straighten,” – spell
relegation to the sidelines, and no chance at all of “having a good
day,” as so many Daegu-ites wish their visitors.
A single judge can only submit one red
card per walker, so this can hardly be one man’s – or one woman’s –
opinion. A DQ thus represents 37.5 percent (three eighths) consensus of
the panel. The chief judge doesn’t actually judge. He just administers
the whole judging process.
card per walker, so this can hardly be one man’s – or one woman’s –
opinion. A DQ thus represents 37.5 percent (three eighths) consensus of
the panel. The chief judge doesn’t actually judge. He just administers
the whole judging process.
“Name” walkers were shown no
deference at all. Past honors meant nothing “on the day.” And that’s
how such notables as Yohan Diniz of France, Igor Yerokhin of Russia, and
Jesus Angel Garcia wound up being bounced to the sidelines. A total of
12 walkers “saw red.” Tough on them, individually, certainly. But
absolutely necessary to maintain the sanctity of the racewalkng game.
deference at all. Past honors meant nothing “on the day.” And that’s
how such notables as Yohan Diniz of France, Igor Yerokhin of Russia, and
Jesus Angel Garcia wound up being bounced to the sidelines. A total of
12 walkers “saw red.” Tough on them, individually, certainly. But
absolutely necessary to maintain the sanctity of the racewalkng game.
Diniz had set a world 50K track record. Yerokhin was a past Russian champion. Garcia had medaled in three past Worlds.
Didn’t matter. They were all asked to exit the premises.
Forty-five 50K walkers had reported
for duty at 8 a.m. These men are the grittiest of the gritty; ready,
willing and more than able to take on the challenge of going 50K the
longest and toughest of events on the World/Olympic program, Not only
are they required to go 31 miles, 120 yards – a little under five miles
longer than a marathon – but must “stay legal” while doing so.
for duty at 8 a.m. These men are the grittiest of the gritty; ready,
willing and more than able to take on the challenge of going 50K the
longest and toughest of events on the World/Olympic program, Not only
are they required to go 31 miles, 120 yards – a little under five miles
longer than a marathon – but must “stay legal” while doing so.
There was drama from the beginning.
Diniz unwisely rushed to an early lead,
but was DQd before the 20K mark. Australia’s Nathan Deakes, the 2007
World champion and former world record-holder, took over the pace and
seemed to have it under cruise control. Keep on cruising and he might
never be caught. Or so it seemed.
but was DQd before the 20K mark. Australia’s Nathan Deakes, the 2007
World champion and former world record-holder, took over the pace and
seemed to have it under cruise control. Keep on cruising and he might
never be caught. Or so it seemed.
But Deakes stopped cruising and began
feeling leg pain somewhere past 30K. He’d led through the 25K midway
post (1:49.35) and stayed there through 30 (2:11.33.)
feeling leg pain somewhere past 30K. He’d led through the 25K midway
post (1:49.35) and stayed there through 30 (2:11.33.)
Soon, though, the dicey right hamstring that been ruining his past four years began kicking up again.
Russia’s Sergey Bakulin surged past him
at 35K (2:33:48) and Deakes would soon bow out. Even the great champions
can’t go on gimpy wheels.
at 35K (2:33:48) and Deakes would soon bow out. Even the great champions
can’t go on gimpy wheels.
And that’s where Bakulin, grim-faced
throughout as he doggedly trailed Diniz and then Deakes, turned grimmer
yet. The look on his face said it all – nobody’s going to catch me now.
throughout as he doggedly trailed Diniz and then Deakes, turned grimmer
yet. The look on his face said it all – nobody’s going to catch me now.
He was absolutely right – no one did,
not celebrated Russian teammate Denis Nizhegorodov, Deakes’ successor
as world record-holder (with his 3:34.14 in 2008); not another Aussie,
Jared Tallent, who’d medaled in both 20K and 50K walks at the Beijing
Olympics, not the Chinese threat, Tianfeng Si. Not anyone.
not celebrated Russian teammate Denis Nizhegorodov, Deakes’ successor
as world record-holder (with his 3:34.14 in 2008); not another Aussie,
Jared Tallent, who’d medaled in both 20K and 50K walks at the Beijing
Olympics, not the Chinese threat, Tianfeng Si. Not anyone.
Bakulin “grimmed it out” to a 3:41.24
gold. Think you’re a speedy pedestrian, rushing down Main Street to get
across before the light turns, or to make your next business
appointment, or whatever? Think you could keep up with Bakulin for even a
few strides? Think again, bcause this pedestrian king was reeling off
mile after mile after mile after mile at just over 7 minutes apiece.
Denis Nizhegorodov, 2011 WC 50km, silver, photo by PhotoRun.net
gold. Think you’re a speedy pedestrian, rushing down Main Street to get
across before the light turns, or to make your next business
appointment, or whatever? Think you could keep up with Bakulin for even a
few strides? Think again, bcause this pedestrian king was reeling off
mile after mile after mile after mile at just over 7 minutes apiece.
Denis Nizhegorodov, 2011 WC 50km, silver, photo by PhotoRun.netHis 5K splits were remarkably
consistent: 22:23, 22:13, 21:56, 21:43, 21:51, 21:45, 21:57, 22:06,
22:02. Only after 45K did he show fatigue – but not much. He “slowed”
to a 23:08, when it really didn’t matter any further.
Jared Tallent, 2011 WC 50km, bronze, photo by PhotoRun.net
consistent: 22:23, 22:13, 21:56, 21:43, 21:51, 21:45, 21:57, 22:06,
22:02. Only after 45K did he show fatigue – but not much. He “slowed”
to a 23:08, when it really didn’t matter any further.
Jared Tallent, 2011 WC 50km, bronze, photo by PhotoRun.net“Niz” passed Tallent in the final 5K to take the silver, 3:42:45 to 3:43.36.
China’s Ni snared fourth in 3:44.40, with one more awesome Aussie, Luke Adams, next home in 3:45.31.
There was honor down the line. Korea’s
Chil-Sung Park grabbed seventh, as the home team’s racewalkers far
outstripped their teammates in the other 22 track events. Andres Chocho
of Ecuador – well known in Asbury Park, NJ, where he’s a two-time
winner of the Polar Bear 10-miler – lowered the South American record to
3:49.24 placing 11th.
Chil-Sung Park grabbed seventh, as the home team’s racewalkers far
outstripped their teammates in the other 22 track events. Andres Chocho
of Ecuador – well known in Asbury Park, NJ, where he’s a two-time
winner of the Polar Bear 10-miler – lowered the South American record to
3:49.24 placing 11th.
And consider 24th place Quentin Rew of
New Zealand, 24th place in 4:08:46. He was still a whole lot faster
than another New Zealand racewalk notable, the late, great Norman Read,
who’d won the 1956 Olympics in 4:30:42.
New Zealand, 24th place in 4:08:46. He was still a whole lot faster
than another New Zealand racewalk notable, the late, great Norman Read,
who’d won the 1956 Olympics in 4:30:42.
There was sadness, too, in the absence
of Irish walk star Robert Heffernan, who’d been considered a pre-race
medal threat by many. Tragically, his mother passed away in a fall;
Heffernan flew back to Ireland earlier in the week and was unable to
return to Daegu.
of Irish walk star Robert Heffernan, who’d been considered a pre-race
medal threat by many. Tragically, his mother passed away in a fall;
Heffernan flew back to Ireland earlier in the week and was unable to
return to Daegu.
And where was the American presence in all this?
The 2011 USA 50K champion is Ben Shorey, who won it in 4:16 back on Jan. 23 in Tustin, California; it
took a minimum of 4:08 (the B standard) to punch a ticket to Daegu.
And so men’s Team USA was represented in just 23 of 24 Worlds events.
took a minimum of 4:08 (the B standard) to punch a ticket to Daegu.
And so men’s Team USA was represented in just 23 of 24 Worlds events.
USA produced the World Championships 50K bronze medalist in Duke grad Curt Clausen back in 1999 at Seville.
Clausen is now busy lawyering in New York City; America awaits his replacement.
Oh….there was indeed an American participant in the 50K. Sort of.
Maryanne Torrellas of Clinton, Ct, was
one of the judges, seeing to it that justice was being done, and
“keeping it legal” around Gongpyeong Junction.
Sergey Bakulin, 2011 WC 50km, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
one of the judges, seeing to it that justice was being done, and
“keeping it legal” around Gongpyeong Junction.
Sergey Bakulin, 2011 WC 50km, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net###
