A Race Walker's Perspective
by Natalie Dye

Race Walking is a unique event and not well understood. While waiting for the awards presentation for race walking, I asked the winners a few questions. Here is what they had to say.

How did you get into race walking? Chris Diaz-My grandfather was a race walker and introduced me to it. Once I started, others in my South Texas area joined me.

What meets do you race at? We compete at meets like the Nike Indoor and Nike Outdoor and in some states where its an official event. Race walking is not an official event especially for guys; for girls, it's more popular. So, we make our own competitions. It would be better to have longer distances and more meets to compete in.

What do you do to promote the event and get more interest in it? Michael Kazmierczak said he just started doing it and got his friends to try it and they found that they liked it.

People make fun of race walking. Andrew Ciszewski adds, "The best is when people make fun of me and I go out and walk a mile faster than they can run it." Chris Diaz says to those who make fun, "come out and join me."

Michael Kazmierczak NY