Walking races are also to be found in the Olympics. The rules are strict,for at no point do they allow the contestants to break into a run to beat their rivals.
Race-walking is also known as hell-and-toe racing,as the racers must never break the contact with the ground. One foot must always be in touch.The legs must also be held straight as if walking and not be bent,as when running.
The method for race-walking is nothing like normal walking.The hips are rolled rhythmically,the legs are pulled or jerked up and down very rapidly,and the shoulders and arms are swung in very exaggerated pumping movements. The overall effect in very comical to watch.It is something like a penguin's waddle,yet it allows racers to move along at up to 16 kilometres per hour.
Walking races are very long. In the Olympics the events cover 20-kilometre and 50-kilometre distances.
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