Dave McGovern: Racewalking Expert
Dave McGovern, a six-time Olympic Trials finalist, is the author of The Complete Guide to Racewalking and The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking. He is the National Coach for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s “Team Challenge” half-marathon team, and was one of the US Coaches for the IAAF World Cup of Racewalking in Cheboksary, Russia. Visit his website.
REVIEWS
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Male racewalkers have it pretty good in the shoe department. There are literally dozens of excellent shoes choices for training and racing. Of course, most of these shoes are running racing flats rather than shoes specifically made for racewalking, but the design elements are essentially the same: lightweight, flexible, low-profile shoes with big enough toe-boxes to prevent cramped toes during long workouts or races. Outlandish colors seem to be a plus.Read More »
Unlike the men, women haven’t fared quite as well. For many years racing flats were made only for men. The shoe companies did market their wares as “unisex” sized shoes appropriate for women, but they were sized in men’s sizes. Since racing flats adapt to the shape of the foot better than boxier training shoes, most women could do alright in a “unisex” shoe, but wearing a shoe that’s actually designed for your type of foot is going to be a better choice for most women.
Several companies now make women’s racing flats, and several companies offer more than just one least-common-denominator shoe. Adidas makes a range of women’s racers to fit all types of feet.
Although there are some great choices out there for women racewalkers, the downside to using any racing flat for day-to-day wear is that they’re designed for runners to wear only once every few weeks to race, so they often don’t last very long. But life-spans do vary considerably. Some flats will last 300 miles or more; some extremely lightweight flats may be shot after a mere 50 miles. Shoes designed for marathons are made with high carbon outsoles that will usually hold up for several hundred miles.
There are dozens of shoes that “foot” the bill. But who does it best?
For serious racers looking for the lightest and fastest shoes around, the Avia Avi-Bolt and the Saucony Grid Type A2 are both under six ounces and lightning fast. For marathon walkers or 50k specialists looking for more support, the Adidas adiZero RC 2, the Diadora Mythos Racer, and the Asics GEL-Bandito get the edge for lightweight stability. -
Racewalkers are a different breed from runners so we need different shoes to perform at our best. The high-heeled, stiff, clunky trainers that most runners wear will not do for the high-speed gait of the racewalker. But running racing flats? Now that’s where the action is!Read More »
Ever since New Balance phased out the 111 racewalking shoe in early 2007, running racing flats are about all we have left. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Racing flats come in a wide variety of styles ranging from flimsy non-supportive slipper-like creations to much more cushiony trainer-racers. Within that range, racewalkers can find a wide array of PR-worthy shoes.
Most racing flats are “slip lasted,” or “strobel lasted,” techniques that allow for light weight and superior flexibility. Because we racewalkers hit the ground with less than half the force of the typical runner’s stride, we can get away with these much lighter shoes for both training and racing.
Steer away from the flimsiest shoes, like cross-country racers or track flats, but any shoe designed for 15k to marathon racing should work well for racewalk training and racing.
The downside to using racing flats for day-to-day wear is that they’re designed for runners to wear only once every few weeks to race, so they often don’t last very long. But life-spans vary considerably; some flats will last 300 miles or more, some extremely lightweight flats may be shot after a mere 50 miles. Shoes designed for marathons are made with high carbon outsoles that will usually hold up for several hundred miles.
The features sought out by racewalkers are lightweight, a low heel, a flexible midsole, a moderate amount of support, and a generous toe-box to prevent blisters or the dreaded “black toe-nails” that can arise after miles of walking in narrow-toed shoes. Outlandish colors seem to be a plus.
There are dozens of shoes that “foot” the bill. But who does it best?
For serious racers looking for the lightest and fastest shoes around, the Adidas adiZero RC and the Asics Gel-Hyper Speed 2 are heads above the rest. For marathon walkers or 50k specialists looking for more support, the New Balance RC1001, Mizuno Wave Revolver 5, and the Nike Air Zoom Marathoner get the edge for lightweight stability.
Buying a shoe for racewalking isn’t like buying a car. There aren’t an unlimited number of dazzling features that will steer you one way or another. Ultimately, fit is what matters most. How far you’ll be walking, how heavy you are, and the mechanics of your feet will also play a role. What the Olympic Champion wears - or the guy who just won your local 5k for that matter - is immaterial. Having said that, these are some of the very best new models from which to choose.
