Results
2022 Women's 35km 2022 World Athletics Championships - Eugene, Oregon - Page 1 of 10
It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since I’ve photographed a World Championship race like the Olympics, World Team Championships, or the World Athletics Championships. Covid and my officiating responsibilities have prevented me for traveling as much as I would like for photography. However, with the World Athletics Championships in the USA how could I pass up the opportunity. Ironically, being in the USA made it harder for me to get a press pass and I came up empty. So, I had to shoot this from the sidelines, which didn’t handicap me as much as I thought it would.
Of course, this is an historic race, both as the first time women were competing at 35km at the World Athletics Championships and that it was the first time women were able to double in two race walking events. Many of us would have preferred to see a 50km as the second event, feeling that the 35km is too close to the 20km physiologically. Would the 15km difference between distances be enough to separate the “distance” walkers, from the 20km “sprinters” or would the 20km women who doubled dominate in the 35km as well? Let’s find out!
The race started promptly on A 1km loop with relatively tight turns. At least there was cool overcast sky, so hopes were high for fast times.
The large pack continued by.
The last of the starting line.
The pack went out conservatively in just under 5:00 per km pace. Would Katarzyna ZDZIEBŁO settle for second as she finished in the 20km? It didn't seem so
as she walked into the lead just ahead of the 20km winner Kimberly GARCÍA LEÓN.
The pack followed all breaking new ground in this 35km.
As the lead pack returned, ZDZIEBŁO seemed to be making a statement and ever so slightly pulled away from the pack. While, not a 50km, 35km is certainly long enough than any minor moves early could easily be erased.
The rest of the pack seemed content to let things materialize slowly.
The women from the USA followed, working together hoping to walk strategically.
By the second lap, our gold and silver medalists from the 20km were joined by the bronze medalist Shijie QIEYANG and the trio were separating themselves from the pack.
Laura GARCÍA-CARO tried to keep them in contact.
As did many, hoping the clouds would keep the blistering sun from the 20km away.
Leading the USA squad, Maria MICHTA-COFFEY and Miranda MELVILLE worked as a team as they have many times before.
QIEYANG tried to make it a three person race, but ZDZIEBŁO seemed to want to have control and pushed her and GARCÍA LEÓN to the front.
Viviane LYRA of Brazil was finding her place between packs.
It was still incredibly early, so many walked comfortably feeling things out.
Jaaneth MAMANI ROQUE led one pack.
and there were many packs with 38 women starting in all.
Very early indeed ZDZIEBŁO and GARCÍA LEÓN seemed to want to make it a two woman race.
They looked strong, but it was way too early.
QIEYANG had to walk her own race and hope they came back as the kilometers piled up.
Paola PÉREZ from Ecuador trailed in 4th.
