What distance do the athletes walk?
What is the basic technique?
- Posture – have the head and body tall, shoulders parallel to the front.
- Arms – bend the arms at elbows and swing them with shoulders relaxed and low.
- Legs/feet – The basic action of the walk is a heel-toe action. The athlete lands on their heel and rolls forward on to their toe. From the time the heel hits the ground to the time the foot passes underneath the body the advancing or “lead” leg must be straight.
What is a CAUTION?
A caution is given when an athlete is “close” to breaking the rules. e.g. it looks like they might be starting to bend their knee too early. You can get a caution from each judge.
What is a RED CARD?
A Red Card is issued when an athlete has “broken” the rules. This can be for knees (not keeping the leg straight from first contact to a vertical position) or loss of contact with the ground.
- The Chief Race Walk Judge must report to the Referee immediately after the end of the event, the details of all athletes disqualified AND all athletes who received red cards.
- At the Senior Carnival, Regional, Winter & State Championships, for U12 – U17 athletes, Race Walk Judges will not call ‘Red Card’ for relevant infringements, only written reports will be made.
When is an athlete disqualified?
If they receive a “red card” by 3 or more different walk judges.
Where do the judges stand?
- Judges spread themselves out around the outside of the track so that between them they have all areas covered i.e. divide the track up by the number of judges. and as assigned by Chief Walk Judge.
- Each judge is responsible for his/her own area. Judges cannot give cautions or red cards to any athlete for something they see outside of their area.
What are some “Handy Tips” for conducting walks?
- Conduct one race walks event per age group or combine age groups.
- Allow walkers aiming to use correct technique to use lane 1, non-competitive walkers to use lane 2.
- Allow the athletes to finish the race before disqualifying.
- Use shorter distances for athletes to gain confidence with technique.
Find Us
We are located at McPherson Park on Denham Street, Bracken Ridge
