2011/2012 Australian Race Walking Series
At an impromptu meeting of some Australian racewalking coaches earlier
this year, the concept of an Australian Race Walking Series was mooted.
A draft proposal was produced and discussions initiated with Athletics
Australia. The final outcome - The
Australian Race Walking Series.See http://www.athletics.com.au/home/competition/events/2011_australian_50km_walks_cha/racewalking__series for the full details which are also produced below.
The Australian Race Walking Series is a joint initiative of Athletics Australia and Racewalking Australia and aims to engage and recognise the achievements of athletes in the critical age demographic of 16-22 years.
Focusing on a number of high profile, quality events around the country, the series will award an overall Winner in the Open, Under 23, Under 20 and Under 18 age groups. Five rounds will be contested for the 2011/2012 season (see below) before being expanded in 2012/2013.
The following competitions are included in the 2011/12 Australia Race Walking Series:
| Date |
Event |
Men |
Women |
City |
Results and
Points |
| 11 December 2011 | Aust. 50km Champs | U18 5km U20 10km Open & U23 20km, 50km |
U18 5km U20 10km Open & U23 20km |
Melbourne | 2011-12-11-AustRaceWalkingSeries.pdf |
| 18 February 2012 | Sydney Track Classic | U18 5000m U20 5000m Open &U23 5000m |
U18 5000m U20 5000m Open & U23 5000m |
Sydney | |
| 25 February 2012 | Australian 20km Champs | U18 5km U20 10km Open & U23 20km |
U18 5km U20 10km Open & U23 20km |
Hobart | |
| 14-18 March 2012 | Aust. Junior T&F Champs | U18 5000m U20 10000m |
U18 5000m U20 10000m |
Sydney | |
| 13-15 April 2012 | Aust. Open T&F Champs | Open 5000m (Open & U23) | Open 5000m (Open & U23) | Melbourne |
Each age group has 4 race days on offer. For instance, the U18 have 5km races available on 11 Dec, 18 Feb, 25 Feb and 14-18 Mar. The best 3 performances are counted for purposes of determining the male and female winners in each of the 4 categories. While there are no monetary prizes this year for winners, there will be a trophy presented to each winner and it will hopefully be a prestigious title to win.
The rules are simple:
- Athletes must be registered with Athletics Australia through their Member Association at the time of competition.
- Athletes do not have to enter the Series; rather thy will be automatically included upon finishing an event.
- Athletes may only score points in one age group throughout the Series.
- Athletes must still enter each individual competition by the closing date (as published on the AA website)
- All events will be conducted under IAAF and Athletics Australia (where applicable) rules unless otherwise indicated in this document.
| Events
-
Men |
Bonus
Standard
|
Events - Women |
Bonus
Standard
|
| Open 50km
Men |
3:54:30
|
||
| U23 50km Men | 4:10:00
|
||
| Open Men 20km | 1:21:45
|
Open Women
20km |
1:32:30
|
| U23 Men 20km | 1:26:00
|
U23 Women 20km | 1:39:00
|
| U20 Men 10km | 43:00 |
U20 Women 10km | 48:00 |
| U18 Men 10km | 44:40 |
U18 Women 10km | 50:00 |
| U18 Men 5km | 23:00 |
U18 Women 5km | 24:00 |
Obviously you only have to target 3 out of the 4 possible events and a couple of the events are probably on your radar anyway at this stage. The first event on offer is the Fawkner Park carnival in December in Melbourne so get planning! In particular, our U18 walkers (or younger) should consider entering the U18 5km walk at Fawkner Park to kick off their campaigns.
A couple of notes of special interest
- The Australian Open 5000m Track Championships have been reinstated for men and women. These used to be big calendar events for us until they were taken off the championship grid in 1998. In that final year, Nick A'Hern won his 6th men's title in a row (19:12.9) while Kerry Saxby-Junna won the women's race for a record 12th time (21:57.7). To have it back on the championship grid is huge news.
- A 5000m walk is once again included on the Sydney Track Classic in mid February.
- U18 Born 1995 or later
- U20 Born 1993 or later
- U23 Born 1990, 1991 or 1992