JACK MORTLAND

Martin Rudow was an average runner when his college track team’s manager, Dean Ingram, exposed him to race walking. For some reason race walking “just clicked,” remembers Rudow.

While he understates his ability by describing himself as “a talented, but not exceptionally talented race walker,” Rudow was almost an Olympian. In 1968 he was the first alternate for the 20K squad. Unfortunately, Rudow was unable to try again, as a terrible knee injury and in suing surgery ended his competitive career in 1970.

Rudow’s interest in walking did not wane; instead he started organizing races and coaching. He became a judge (IAAF for nearly 20 years). From 1984-1988 he was the Men’s National Race Walking Coach, during which time he wrote Advanced Race Walking. With no up to date training material available, previous to Advanced Race Walking, athletes had no printed direction for their training. Although it is now out of print, to date it sold 11,500 copies. The highlight of his post-competitive career was serving as Chief Walking Judge for the men's 20K race walk at the in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Rudow has moved on from race walking as many of his former athletes are no longer competing. His presence is sorely missed.