What sort of route is a road walk held on?
Officials' detail · The race · 1 of 2A road walk is held on a circuit that should be between 1 km and 2 km round, so the walkers pass the same points many times. The circuit is measured in the same way as a road running course. At the top competitions the roads are closed to motor traffic in both directions.
How it works
- The circuit: "The circuit should be no shorter than 1km and shall be no longer than 2km."
- A shorter loop: a circuit of less than 1 km may be approved by the technical delegates where the conduct of the race justifies it.
- Stadium starts and finishes: for events that start and finish in the stadium, the circuit should be as close to the stadium as possible.
- Measurement: along the shortest possible route, as for road races.
- Safety: the organisers must ensure the safety of athletes and officials. At the top competitions the roads used are closed to motorised traffic in all directions.
- What is on the circuit: the judges, the posting board, the drinks stations and, where one is used, the penalty zone.
- On a track: the standard track walks are held on a 400 m track, or on a short track for the 3000 m and 5000 m.
Tricky cases
Can a 50 km walk be held on a single long route from one town to another?
No. The circuit may be no longer than 2 km.
Can the loop be 800 m round?
Yes, if the technical delegates approve it because the conduct of the race justifies it.
Is a road walk measured differently from a marathon?
No. The same measurement rule applies.
Why the rule exists
Race walking is judged by people standing on the course. A short loop brings every walker past every judge many times, which a single long route could not do with six to nine judges. It also puts a drinks station and the posting board in front of the walkers on every lap.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 54.9; TR 54.11 |
| Road running | No limit on the length of a lap. Courses may run from one place to another | TR 55.2 |
| Before 2026 | The wording on circuits shorter than 1 km is marked as new in the 2026 edition | TR 54.11.1 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 54.1, 54.9 and 54.11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).