You’ve probably heard how walking is one of the best ways to lose weight and improve your overall fitness and health. But did you know that the sports of race walking and power walking can increase those benefits and stoke your competitive spirit as well!
Race Walk vs. Power Walk: An In-Depth Comparison
In this “Race Walking vs. Power Walking: An In-Depth Comparison” video, you’ll learn about these two distinct sports, their similarities, and the one technical difference critical to racing success. There’s a clue to that difference in the image above!
Watch special guests Marianne and Doug Hamilton of United States Power Walking Association (USPWA) demonstrate these two styles. I narrate the important details you need to know.
About USPWA and its Founders
I asked Marianne and Doug for their help in producing the video. The duo are accomplished walking athletes and experienced race directors with the Huntsman World Senior Games and the National Senior Games.
Marianne has won numerous gold medals in race walking in senior games competitions in the U.S. At the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand, she took the bronze medals in the 1500-meter and 5000-meter race walks.
Doug is a lifelong athlete in numerous sports including marathons, triathlons and cycling. Having won gold, silver and bronze medals in several sports at senior games competitions in the U.S., he switched from race walking to power walking in 2017. He successfully finished the 2018 Zion Ultra 50K trail marathon, his first-ever such event.
They formed the United States Power Walking Association in 2017 to advocate for the sport of power walking for recreational fitness and as a competitive sport for people of all ages. Similar but less technical than race walking, the sport enables:
- runners and race walkers to continue their competitive efforts when age or physical concerns require a lower-impact activity
- recreational and fitness walkers to take their efforts to a higher level and enjoy a new challenge of competitive sport
Slowpoke Divas TV on YouTube
Let me know what you think in the comments over on Slowpoke Divas TV channel on YouTube. You’ll find more videos that I hope with inspire or inform you about walking, cycling, strength training, and the occasional triathlon. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future videos!
Originally published June 19, 2018 | Edited and new images added Sept. 7, 2023.