Women’s 50km walk added to IAAF World Championship medal schedule – London 2017

The IAAF have today confirmed that the IAAF Council has decided to create the new event, bringing the number of medal events to an even 4

The race is scheduled to start at the same time as the men’s event on the final day of the championships on 13 August but will have separate results and prize money. The entry standard is 4:30:00 hours to be achieved by Tuesday 25 July midnight, Monaco time. 

In order for athletes to be allowed to finish the race in London, they shall be required to start the last two-kilometre lap within the time limit of 4:17:00. 

“The IAAF Council’s decision to create a new 50km race walk competition for women with separate results and prize money at the World Championships in London follows the 2016 IAAF Race Walking Team Championships in Rome, where one female athlete from the USA joined her four male teammates,” said IAAF president Sebastian Coe. 

“There has been equal prize money for men and women at the IAAF World Championships since the introduction of financial rewards in the early 1990s and this decision brings gender quality in terms of competition opportunity too. 

“But we must acknowledge this has been a last-minute decision based upon the request of a small group of athletes. Therefore, to ensure the long-term credibility of the World Championships, we will follow the recommendation of the Race Walking Committee and assess the development of the event to determine whether there are sufficient numbers of athletes and countries legitimately interested.” 

The event will be part of a unique 'Festival of Race Walks' taking plac on the final day in London. The races will be staged at The Mall, St James Park with the permission of The Royal Parks, with a two-kilometre loop between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch. The 20km races will see athletes perform 10 laps o

The IAAF World Championships London 2017, taking place 4-13 August, are hosted in London this summer, with 2000 athletes from 200 countries set to compete.

For tickets to the IAAF World Championships London 2017 visit https://tickets.london2017athletics.com.

London 2017