Talent ID Program

Photo of a race walkerProgram Summary

USA Race Walking needs medal-hungry, talented, young athletes. We'll take raw talent, shape it with an aggressive technique immersion and elite mentoring program, and put your talent on the Olympic podium. The ideal candidate is a middle distance runner, age 16 to 26, with the physiology, athletic ability, motivation and self-confidence to achieve success at the national and international levels. But all who burn to be an Olympian should inquire. The goal is to develop athletes to meet the USATF National qualifying standards within one year and the Olympic Games 'A' standard within three years. Over the duration of the plan, the emphasis will shift to training, monitoring and supporting the progress of the athletes in achieving the Olympic 'A' standards in the Men's and Women's 20 km and Men's 50 km Race Walk.

Initial Recruitment

Athletes will be recruited at high-level meets and allowed to experience the sport via media and "hands on" instruction. Each applicant will be evaluated individually and may be subject to a personal interview. Initial assessment will be based upon body type, flexibility, and past performance results. Those exhibiting sufficient interest and basic skills will be invited to a Regional Talent ID camp for technique immersion. See Skills Table below for specific qualification criteria.

Immersion

The goal of the Technique Immersion project is to elevate the walking skills and techniques of the young men and women accepted into the Regional Talent ID camps so they have sufficient mastery and confidence in their technique that they can pursue individual or small group training, under the guidance of a local mentor or coach.

Mentoring

The goal of the Mentoring Project is for the mentored athlete to attain the USA Olympic Trials qualifying standard for the 20 km race walk and compete in the 2008 Olympic Trials. Targeted athletes from the Regional Talent ID Camps will be assigned a long-term mentor. These athletes will become the Talent ID Mentoring Project participants. The target group for this project is nine men, six women and their mentors.

Talent ID Regional Camps

Selected athletes will be provided lodging, food, and materials. Transportation to and from camp is athlete's responsibility. Camp instruction will include:

  • Bio-Mechanics of Race Walking
  • Flexibility & Mobility Drills
  • Physiology and Training Systems
  • Sports Psychology
  • Training, Nutrition, and Injury Prevention
  • HR Monitor Usage and Blood Lactate Analysis
  • Video and Bio-Mechanical Analysis
  • Review of USATF and Talent ID Program Opportunities

Initial Recruitment Criteria

Skills Table for Race Walk Recruits

Men Women
Event 16-18 19-23 24-26 16-18 19-23 24-26
400m 0:54 0:52 0:51 1:06 1:04 1:01
400m Hurdles 0:57 0:55 0:54 1:10 1:07 1:04
800m 2:02 1:58 1:55 2:35 2:22 2:14
1500m 4:16 4:04 3:56 5:15 4:52 4:36
Mile 4:35 4:23 4:14 5:37 5:15 4:57
3000m 9:30 8:42 8:25 11:40 10:30 9:51
3000m Steeplechase 10:15 9:35 9:03 12:35 11:15 10:35
5000m / 5 km 16:30 15:25 14:40 20:20 18:40 17:10
8000m / 8 km 27:35 25:35 24:15 34:25 30:30 28:25
10000m / 10 km 35:15 31:45 30:30 43:30 38:25 35:40
15 km 53:05 49:10 47:15 101:45 58:30 55:15
10 Miles 57:35 53:20 51:05 1:09:30 1:03:40 59:45
Half Marathon 1:18:00 1:12:00 1:08:00 1:30:00 1:24:00 1:19:30
Marathon 2:45:00 2:30:00 2:23:00 3:04:30 2:55:00 2:47:30

Contacts

Vince Peters
USATF Race Walk Committee Chair
mv_tc@sbcglobal.net
(937) 767-7424

Maryanne Daniel
USATF Women's Race Walk
Development Chair
ctracewalk@sbcglobal.net

Philip Dunn
USATF Men's Race Walk
Development Chair
dunnphilip@yahoo.com